A division bench of the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) headed by Justice G. R.

Upheld the order. Swaminathan, who had directed the Subramaniam Swamy temple management at Thirupparankundram to light the Karthigai lamp on the ‘Deepathoon’ (a stone pillar for lighting a lamp) apart from the usual places. Justice G.

Jayachandran and K. K. Ramakrishnan criticized the Tamil Nadu government for not complying with the order citing apprehension of law and order issues and public peace as reasons.

The bench said this is ridiculous and an “imaginary specter” created by the authorities. The court said that the appellants did not produce any evidence to show that lighting of ‘deepam’ (lamp) on the newly identified pillar was not permitted as per Agama Shastra.

The court said, there are reasons for religious practices and the reason for lighting lamps at a high place is for the devotees to have darshan and worship. The court said the temple management should light the lamps on ‘Deepthoon’ and the district administration should monitor the event.

The court said, since it is a protected monument, the Archaeological Survey of India can impose conditions. The judges began hearing the appeals filed against the single bench order on December 12, 2025. While several claims were made about the nature of the stone pillar/’Deepathoon’, the Government of Tamil Nadu submitted that there was no evidence to establish that the pillar was a ‘Deepathoon’.

However, senior lawyers representing the original petitioners said the government was only disputing the claim to complicate the matter. Furthermore, the Appellants did not show any material to prove that it was not Deepthoon.

After hearing all the arguments, the judges had reserved the decision on 18 December 2025.