New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and other respondents on a petition seeking directions for the ASI to take over the Thirupparankundram Lord Murugan Subramaniya Temple in Madurai and ensure the continuous lighting of a ceremonial lamp atop the ‘deepathoon’ (stone pillar).

A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi sought responses from the authorities on the plea filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad, which has also sought permission for religious practices linked to the temple hill.

During the hearing, the court was informed that the Madras High Court, on January 6, had upheld a single judge’s order allowing the lighting of a lamp atop the hill.

The petition before the apex court seeks a direction that the ASI assume control of the temple, citing its historical and archaeological significance. It also seeks an order mandating that one lamp be kept lit at all times on the stone pillar and that, every year on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam, the entire hill be illuminated with lamps, with devotees allowed to perform worship.

Earlier this month, a division bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan upheld the single judge’s ruling permitting the lighting of the lamp. The high court had rejected the state government’s contention that the practice could disturb public peace, describing the argument as “ridiculous”.

The high court also clarified that the land on which the stone pillar stands belongs to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple.

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The Supreme Court has posted the matter for further hearing after responses are filed by the concerned authorities.