Controversy at Thiruparankundram… ‘Parabar’ responses… ‘Padapada’ Hindu organizations… What happened?

Located at the foot of Thiruparankundram mountain in Madurai district, devotees flock to the Subramaniya Swamy Temple every day. Meanwhile, Sikandar Sha Awliya from the Islamic community visits the temple’s hilltop to pay his respects. In another section of the hill, a lamp near the statue of Palani Andavar at Thiruparankundram keeps burning throughout the year. Hindu organizations have demanded access to light lamps around Sikandar Darag’s lamp for a while now. In a significant legal development, two judges ruled in 2017 that the diya lighting ought to happen in the appropriate place, resolving a long-standing issue. However, every year, members of Hindu groups face security restrictions while lighting the lamp, causing tensions.