In a significant ruling, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has given its approval for the continuation of a traditional religious practice at a historic hill temple. The court on Tuesday upheld a previous order allowing the lighting of the ceremonial Karthigai Deepam lamp at a specific stone pillar on Thiruparankundram hill.
Court's Ruling Upholds Tradition
A division bench confirmed the earlier decision made by Justice G R Swaminathan. The single judge had directed the management of the Subramaniya Swamy temple to light the sacred lamp at the location known as Deepathoon. This practice will be in addition to the other customary spots where the lamp is lit during the festival.
The bench made a crucial observation regarding the role of the district administration. The court stated that officials should have treated the entire issue as an opportunity to bridge gaps between different communities through mediation. This highlights the judiciary's view on using dialogue to resolve sensitive matters.
Compliance with Archaeological Norms
The court delivered a clear verdict on how the practice must be conducted, given the site's protected status. Since Thiruparankundram hill is a legally protected monument, any activity there must strictly follow the provisions of the relevant Act.
To ensure this, the bench provided specific clarifications. The lamp may be lit, and the temple management can decide the number of persons permitted for the ceremony. However, this must be done subject to prior consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This condition ensures that heritage conservation norms are not violated.
Clearing the Way for Festival
With this ruling, the court has effectively dismissed all objections that were raised against lighting the lamp at the hilltop stone pillar. The decision clears the path for the temple authorities to proceed with the age-old tradition as part of the upcoming Karthigai Deepam festival celebrations.
The judgment balances religious customs with the imperative of preserving archaeological heritage. It underscores the importance of lawful procedures while respecting traditional practices that hold deep cultural significance for devotees.
