Observing that lighting lamps atop hillocks during Karthigai is a deeply rooted Tamil tradition and that the very purpose of a Deepathoon is to light a lamp, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, on Monday, December 1, allowed a batch of writ petitions seeking permission to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon (ancient stone lamp pillar) on Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai.

Karthigai is a Tamil month associated with the festival of Karthigai Deepam, symbolising light, devotion and the victory of knowledge over darkness. The Thirupparankundram Hill in Madurai is home to the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple (located at the foot of the hill) and the Sikkandar Badhusah Dharga (located at the top).

Allowing the petitions, Justice GR Swaminathan quashed the proceedings of the ex

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