To assert their right and seek implementation of HC orders on lighting a lamp at the ancient stone stupa, lakhs of Hindu devotees thronged Thiruparankundram to perform giri valam and parikrama pradakshinam. It is a over 1500-year-old rock-cut temple near Madurai and the first of Bhagwan Murugan’s six abodes (Arupadaiveedu). Parikrama (Giri Valam) involves walking around the hillock, passing the temple, a sacred pond, and a hilltop shrine, symbolising devotion and spiritual cleansing.
The Thiruparankundram temple issue has been in the news since last February 2025 when some Muslims and outfits tried to sacrifice goats and other animals atop the Sikandar Dargah located on the Thiruparankundram hill. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP Navaz Kani and an MLA ate non-veg biryani on the hill, a clear violation that sparked outrage among Hindus. There have been attempts to rename the hill as Sikandhar Hill. However, subsequent court verdicts cancelled their claims.
In December 2025, when the court ordered lighting of a lamp at the ancient stone pillar (deepa stupa), the District Collector, CoP and HR & CE Executive Officer, it is alleged, wantonly disobeyed the court order and implemented Section 144 prohibitory orders. Now they are facing contempt of court for their chosen act of disobeying court orders. Unable to light the lamp at the deepa thoon, one Poorna Chandran self-immolated by pouring petrol. Prime Minister Modi, who was in Madurai on March 1, met his family and assured all help as a father-like figure. Poornachandran had come from a hardcore DMK family.
Today, in Madurai, I remembered Thiru Poornachandran. This happened due to the insensitivity of the DMK Government in the state. And, no matter what they do, the truth will win. Devotees of Lord Murugan will win.
I met his wife, Thirumathi Indumathi Ji as well as his sons. pic.twitter.com/mnvdmtMXZd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2026
Meanwhile, Muruga Bakthargal Peravai (Murugan Devotees Federation) had requested a Girivalam (Parikrama) on the occasion of the full moon (Pournami) and Masi Magam. It said, “The event is being held to protest against the DMK government regarding the ‘Deepathoon’ (lamp post) issue on the hill and to honour the sacrifice of a devotee named Poornachandran.” So far, over 70,000 devotees of all ages and genders had taken part and it is expected reach over a lakh, said functionaries from the Murugan Devotees Federation.
முருக பக்தர்கள் பேரவை சார்பில், திருப்பரங்குன்றம் கிரிவலம்.. சிறப்பாக துவங்கியது..
கிரிவலத்தில் மாநிலத்தலைவர் காடேஸ்வரா சுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் உட்பட பொறுப்பாளர்கள் மற்றும் ஆயிரக்கணக்கான முருக பக்தர்கள் கலந்து கொண்டு கிரிவலம் செல்ல துவங்கியுள்ளனர்..
வலம் வருவோம்! நலம் பெறுவோம்!!… pic.twitter.com/MmQiNpZwSe
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) March 2, 2026
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin justified his government’s decision to restrict the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Thiruparankundram hillock in Madurai by citing the need to maintain law and order, public safety, and communal harmony, rather than religious bias. However, Hindu organisations termed it an appeasement measure in the poll-bound state.
Hindu organisations pointed out the CM’s alleged double speak. Stalin maintained that the government acted responsibly to prevent potential clashes, as the “Deepathoon” where the lighting was requested is located close to an Islamic structure Dargah. However, the same DMK government allowed protests against the killing of the Iran Supreme Leader. DMK allies marched towards the US Consulate in Chennai. They questioned how permission was granted for such protests whereas Hindu outfits were forced to move courts to secure similar permissions.
