Only Sandalwood Festival Permitted At Thiruparankundram Hills, No Animal Sacrifice: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has reiterated that animal sacrifice would not be permitted at the Thiruparankundram hills in the Madurai District.
Justice S Srimathy directed the managing trustee of the Hazrat Sulthan Sikkanthar Bhadhusha Dargha to conduct only the Urus festival (sandalwood festival) with 50 persons. The court also restrained the dargah from carrying animal meet, cooking or carrying non-vegetarian food. The court added that the direction must be followed from the base of the hill till its top.
“The 5th respondent [dargah] is strictly directed to conduct the Urus festival alone. The number of participants in the festival shall be restricted to fifty only. The 5th respondent is restrained from carrying animal sacrifice and also restrained to carrying animal meet, cook non-vegetarian food and carrying any non-vegetarian food. The above direction shall be enforced from the basement of the hill until the top of the hill. The official respondents shall strictly enforce the above directions,” the court said.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Manickamoorthy seeking directions to the authorities to restrain the Dargah from performing Kandhoori (animal sacrifice) at the hill.
The authorities informed the court that the plea was barred by res judicata as the High Court had already passed orders in the matter. The Additional Advocate General argued that the present festival was only for Santhanakoodu urus and that permission would not be granted for Kandhoori Mahautsuv. The AAG also assured the court that the order passed by the third judge regarding animal sacrifice would be strictly followed and that carrying animal meat, cooking or carrying of non-vegetarian food would not be permitted.
Taking note of the submissions, the court made it clear that only the sandalwood festival would be permitted with 50 persons. The court also directed the police to maintain law and order in the area.
Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Niranjan S. Kumar for Mr. H. Velavadhas
Counsel for Respondents: Mr. R. Baskaran Additional Advocate General Assisted By Mr. M. Muthumanikam Government Advocate, Mr. Veera Kathiravan Additional Advocate General Assisted By Mr.S.Ravi Additional Public Prosecutor, Mr. S. Vanchinathan, Mr. Chandrasekara
Case Title: M. Manickamoorthy v. The District Collector and Others
Case No: W. P. Crl.(MD) NO. 2754 of 2025