Tamil Nadu govt opposes ASI takeover of Thirupparankundram temple in SC

The Tamil Nadu government has opposed in the Supreme Court a petition seeking Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) control over the Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple and Thirupparankundram Hill in Madurai, along with changes to the traditional Karthigai Deepam celebrations. In an affidavit filed before Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department said the temple’s ownership and existing religious practices were settled through decades of judicial proceedings, including a 1923 civil court decree restored by the Privy Council in 1931.

The department opposed three reliefs sought by petitioner Hindu Dharma Parishad: handing over the temple and hill to the ASI, keeping a lamp burning round the clock at the Deepathoon stone pillar, and illuminating the entire hill during Karthigai Deepam. HR&CE Commissioner TG Vinay maintained the festival lamp has traditionally been lit at the Deepa Mandapam near the Uchipillaiyar temple for more than 150 years, and not at the hilltop or Deepathoon. The affidavit cited earlier struggles from 1862 and 1912 and Madras High Court directions from 1996. The Supreme Court will hear the petition on 17 November.