In Madurai district’s Tirupparankundram, the Subramaniya Swamy Temple is located atop a hill, with Kasi Viswanathar Temple on one side and Sultan Sikandhar Auliya Dargah on the other. Traditionally, during the Karthigai Deepam festival each year, a lamp is lit at the Pillaiyar Temple’s Deepa Mandapam within the premises.

Recently, some Hindu groups demanded that the Karthigai Deepam be lit on the hilltop Deepa Sthambam (lamp pillar) instead. Petitions were filed in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. Justice GR Swaminathan ruled in favour of lighting the lamp on the hilltop.

However, the Tamil Nadu government, through Additional Advocate General Veera Kathiravan, appealed before Administrative Judge Jayachandran to stay the order. But the court refused to stay Justice Swaminathan

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