The Madras High Court has delivered a landmark verdict affirming the Arulmighu Subramania Swamy Temple’s ownership over the entire Thiruparankundram Hill in Madurai, one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan.
The judgment by the Court on 10th October comes after years of tension between Hindu devotees and Muslim groups claiming parts of the hill under the name “Sikkandar Malai.” The court’s decision upholds Hindu petitioners’ plea to preserve the sanctity of the hill, bans animal sacrifice, and forbids the use of the name “Sikkandar Malai.”
Court Affirms ASI’s Protection and Temple Ownership
The court observed that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had classified approximately 172 acres of the hill as a protected monument through notifications in 1908 and 1923. Citing the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules (1959), it held that bringing animals, cooking, or conducting non-religious activities on the site is strictly prohibited without ASI permission.
It also reaffirmed that the entire hill belongs to the Murugan Temple, with only 33 cents of land near Nellithoppu lawfully allotted to the Sikkandar Badhusha Dargah.
Ban on Animal Sacrifice and Unlawful Naming
The court ruled that animal sacrifice, even if claimed as tradition, cannot be permitted without civil court recognition. Hence, all forms of animal slaughter, cooking, and consumption near the sacred site stand banned.
He also dismissed attempts to rename the hill as Sikkandar Malai, calling it a “mischievous attempt to change its identity.” Citing past decrees, including a 1920 civil court ruling and a 1931 Privy Council judgment, the court confirmed the temple’s historical possession over the hill.
“A person may name his house as he wishes, but he cannot rename an entire city. Likewise, no one can rename Thiruparankundram Hill,”
the judgment observed pointedly.
Limited Rights for Muslim Prayers
Balancing constitutional rights, the court permitted Muslims to offer prayers only during Ramzan and Bakrid in the 33-cent Dargah area, a measured step ensuring both religious harmony and legal clarity. However, no new practices can be introduced without a court’s approval, and the temple’s sacred pathways must remain undisturbed and undefiled.
A Century-Old Dispute Finally Settled
The roots of the Thiruparankundram dispute date back over a century. Muslim groups had claimed sections of the hill, citing local traditions, while Hindu devotees maintained that the entire site was sacred to Lord Murugan.
In 1931, the Privy Council had ruled in favour of the temple, affirming that the hill formed part of the temple’s endowment and that no evidence existed of historical Muslim ownership. Yet, recent attempts to reassert control over the site revived old tensions, especially when the hill began to be called Sikkandar Hills.
DMK-Era Neglect and Escalation
The matter intensified under the DMK government, with reports of animal sacrifices and encroachments on temple land. Hindu organisations such as the Hindu Munnani, VHP, and RSS held massive protests in Madurai earlier this year, demanding a ban on animal slaughter and government action against encroachers.
On the other side, political leaders like IUML MP Nawaz Kani and DMK MLA Abdul Samad publicly claimed that the entire property was Waqf land, claims now legally dismissed by the court.
Preserving Tamil Nadu’s Spiritual Heritage
Thiruparankundram Hill is not just a religious landmark, it is a civilizational monument. The Subramania Swamy Temple, carved out of rock, stands beside 2nd-century BCE Jain caves with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, underscoring its ancient sanctity. The ASI has registered multiple cases of vandalism and illegal alterations, including the controversial painting of Jain caves green in 2024.
A Verdict for Clarity and Coexistence
By upholding the temple’s ownership and prohibiting unlawful activities, the Madras High Court has reaffirmed that religious coexistence must rest on mutual respect, not encroachment.
The verdict brings long-awaited relief to devotees and clarity to administrators, ending decades of ambiguity.
