The HR&CE Department has challenged the High Court’s January 6 judgment directing the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple Devasthanam to light the Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar.
As per the appeal, the High Court effectively invented a new temple ritual that was unsupported by any established custom, temple record, inscription, Agama text, archival material or previous decree.
According to the State, the Karthigai Deepam has been lit for over 150 years at the Deepa Mandapam near the Uchi Pillaiyar Temple, located partway up the hill, and not at the Deepa Thoon.
As per the petition, a devotee’s right to worship under Article 25 of the Constitution does not include a right to impose changes on the rituals followed by a public temple.
Further, courts cannot interfere with the autonomy of religious institutions in matters concerning rituals, festivals and ceremonial practices, it was submitted.
