Madras High Court to hear Madurai sacred hill cases on February 4

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The Madras High Court has scheduled all cases regarding the Thiruparankundram Hill in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, for a hearing on February 4. This decision follows a petition filed by Kannan, a resident of Madurai, seeking a ban on animal sacrifices and the serving of non-vegetarian food at the Sikandar Badusha Dargah located atop the hill.

The petition emphasised the cultural and historical significance of Thiruparankundram Temple, which was built during the Pandya era. It highlighted the presence of the Umayandar Cave Temple and 11 sacred ponds on the southern side of the temple, asserting that no form of animal sacrifice or non-vegetarian food should be allowed within the temple premises.

Kannan’s petition stated that in January 2024, goats and chickens were reportedly sacrificed at the dargah as part of rituals and communal feasts, causing deep offence to devotees of the Subramanya Swamy Temple. The petition also criticised referring to Thiruparankundram Hill as Sikandar Hill, describing it as a potential source of communal discord. “Such actions have the potential to spark communal tensions. Therefore, an order should be passed banning animal sacrifices and the cooking or serving of non-vegetarian food on Thiruparankundram Hill,” the petition read.