Madurai, Dec 19: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday reserved its orders after hearing petitions challenging a single judge’s direction permitting the lighting of a lamp on the Deepathoon (stone pillar) at the hilltop of Tiruparankundram in Madurai.Earlier, the single judge had allowed petitioner Rama Ravikumar to light a lamp during the Karthigai festival on December 1 and directed the temple administration to facilitate it.
Appearing for the state, Advocate General P.S. Raman argued that there was no clear proof to establish the existence or historical significance of Deepathoon. He said there was no record to show when the pillar came into being and maintained that, for over a century, devotees have traditionally lit lamps only at the Uchi Pillaiyar temple, which has been treated as the rightful location for the ritual. He added that a 1920 ruling recorded that the only structure on the hilltop was a dargah.
Raman further submitted that temple-related matters fall under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Act, which provides a specific procedure and authorities to decide such issues. He said the petitioner bypassed these forums and directly approached the High Court. The state, he clarified, acted not out of bias but in the interest of maintaining peace and communal harmony.
Senior advocate Mohan, representing the dargah, said the single judge’s order was unacceptable and argued that the dispute should be settled through a civil court.
Senior advocate Valliappan, appearing for the petitioner, contended that the custom of lighting lamps at the dargah also existed and continued to be followed. He alleged that the temple administration was attempting to conceal the Deepathoon and questioned why permission could not be granted there as well.
After hearing all sides, the division bench of Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan reserved its orders.