The Madras High Court has stayed an order passed by Justice G.R. Swaminathan that permitted the lighting of lamps at the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai. The stay was issued by a division bench on March 17, 2026, following an appeal by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
The original order, passed on March 10, 2026, had allowed a petitioner to light lamps at the hill, which is home to the ancient Subramanya Swamy Temple and considered a sacred site. The HR&CE Department, which administers the temple, challenged the order, arguing it could set a precedent and lead to similar demands at other protected heritage sites.
The division bench, comprising Justices R. Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq, noted the need to hear the state's arguments in detail and issued the interim stay. The court has adjourned the matter for further hearing, effectively pausing the implementation of the single judge's directive.
The case highlights ongoing legal tensions between religious practices and the conservation of archaeological and heritage sites in Tamil Nadu. The Thiruparankundram hill is recognized for its historical and ecological significance.
