Madurai Bench of Madras High Court imposes restrictions on Santhanakoodu Urus on the Thirupparankundram hill
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has allowed the Santhanakoodu (Kanthuri) festival to be held at a dargah located on the Thiruparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, while placing clear restrictions on animal sacrifice and the preparation or carrying of non-vegetarian food during the event.
The order came on a writ petition that sought to block the festival scheduled for January 6, citing concerns over animal sacrifice.
The petitioner argued that earlier High Court orders had prohibited such practices on the hilltop and claimed that animal sacrifice was an essential part of the Kanthuri festival.
It was further contended that allowing the festival in its original form would hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
The petitioner also told the court that the dargah administration, which oversees the complex housing the grave of Sultan Sikandhar Badushah—a Sufi saint believed to have died fighting for Madurai against Vijayanagara ruler Kumara Kampana—had neither challenged earlier court orders nor approached a civil court to establish its right to conduct the festival in the manner claimed.
Seeking interim relief, the petitioner urged the court to maintain the existing situation until the case was finally decided.