Madras HC Reiterates Ban on Animal Sacrifice at Thiruparankundram Hills, Caps Urus Festival at 50 Participants [Read Order]

Chennai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has reiterated that animal sacrifice will not be permitted at the Thiruparankundram Hills in Madurai district, directing that only the Urus festival (Santhanakoodu Urus) be conducted with a maximum of 50 participants, while strictly prohibiting the carrying of animal meat, cooking, or carrying of any non-vegetarian food from the base of the hill to its summit.

Justice S. Srimathy was hearing a writ petition filed by M. Manickamoorthy under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 to 4 to prohibit the fifth respondent, Y. Ozeer Khan (Managing Trustee of Hazrat Sulthan Sikkanthar Bhadhusha Dargha, Thiruparankundram), from performing Kandhoori on Thiruparankundram Hill, in light of the petitioner’s representation dated December 18, 2025.

The petitioner sought an interim injunction restraining the fifth respondent from conducting Kandhoori. The case involved multiple respondents, including the District Collector, Revenue Divisional Officer, Commissioner of Police, Inspector of Police, the Dargha Managing Trustee, and the Devasthanam Board representing Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple.

Mr. Veera Kathiravan, Additional Advocate General appearing for respondents 3 and 4 (police authorities), submitted that “the issue was already considered by the Hon’ble Division Bench and therefore, the present petition is not maintainable.”

Counsel for the fifth respondent submitted that notice had been received only on the same day and the relevant papers were yet to be received. He contended that “the issue has already been settled and the principles of res judicata would be attracted.”

However, Mr. R. Baskaran, Additional Advocate General appearing for respondents 1 and 2 (District Collector and Revenue Divisional Officer), clarified the administration’s position, submitting that “the present festival is only for Santhanakoodu Urus and permission would be granted only for the Santhanakoodu festival scheduled on January 6, 2026.”

The Additional Advocate General further stated that “permission was granted in the year 2023 and the same conditions would be followed this year as well.” He emphasized that “apart from the above, permission will not be granted for Kandhoori Mahautsav, and the order passed by Hon’ble Justice Vijayakumar, the Third Judge, would be strictly followed.”

He further clarified that “animal sacrifice, carrying of animal meat, cooking of non-vegetarian food, or carrying of any non-vegetarian food would not be permitted.”

After hearing the rival submissions, the Court passed comprehensive interim orders with five specific directions to ensure compliance with prior judicial pronouncements and to maintain communal harmony.

First, the Court directed that “the fifth respondent shall conduct only the Urus festival,” limiting the religious observance to the Santhanakoodu Urus scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Second, addressing crowd management, the Court ordered that “the number of participants in the festival shall be restricted to 50 only.”

Third, the Court restrained the fifth respondent from engaging in animal sacrifice and from carrying animal meat, cooking non-vegetarian food, or carrying any non-vegetarian food.

The Court further specified that “the above directions shall be enforced from the base of the hill until the top of the hill, and the official respondents shall strictly enforce the same.”

Fourth, the Court directed that “the judgments passed by the Hon’ble Full Bench and other binding judicial pronouncements on the issue shall be strictly followed.”

Fifth, recognizing the sensitive nature of the issue, the Court directed that “the police shall strictly maintain law and order.”

The matter has been posted for January 20, 2026, for filing of counter affidavits. The Court also directed that a copy of the order be issued on the same day (January 2, 2026), considering the urgency, as the Santhanakoodu Urus is scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Appearances:
Mr. Niranjan S. Kumar for Mr. H. Velavadhas appeared for the petitioner.
Mr. R. Baskaran, Additional Advocate General, assisted by Mr. M. Muthumanikam, Government Advocate, appeared for respondents 1 and 2.
Mr. Veera Kathiravan, Additional Advocate General, assisted by Mr. S. Ravi, Additional Public Prosecutor, appeared for respondents 3 and 4.
Mr. S. Vanchinathan appeared for respondent 5, and Mr. Chandrasekara appeared for respondent 6.

Case Title: M. Manickamoorthy v. The District Collector, Madurai District & Ors.

[Read Order]