The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant an interim stay on a Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court direction related to lighting Karthigai Deepam at the deepa thoon (lamp pillar) on the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai district.
The High Court order, passed by Justice G.R. Swaminathan on December 1, 2025, had directed that the festival lamp be lit at the hill’s lamp pillar as well, apart from the usual locations. The direction followed a petition filed by Ezhumalai Ram Ravikumar and others.
Appeals were filed against subsequent orders in a contempt case alleging non-compliance with the High Court’s direction. During the hearing, the Tamil Nadu government said there was a delay in translating documents, but the Supreme Court did not accept this as a ground for interim relief.
The bench said any decision on the petitions concerning lighting the lamp at the deepa thoon would be taken only after a full hearing. It also questioned why the appeal was filed about six months after the Madurai Bench had issued its order.
The Supreme Court directed the petitioner Ram Ravikumar and the Madurai Collector to file their responses regarding the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal.
