In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court has directed that the upcoming festival at the historic Sikandar Badusha Dargah in Madurai be observed strictly as a vegetarian event, prohibiting traditional animal sacrifices and the cooking of meat. The order mandates that only the Santhanakoodu Urus festival be celebrated on January 6, putting a stop to the planned Kandhoori Mahautsav.
Court's Directives and Government's Stance
Justice S Srimathy issued the interim orders on Friday after the Tamil Nadu government informed the court that permissions would follow the precedent set in 2023. The state clarified that no permission will be granted for the Kandhoori Mahautsav, a festival that traditionally involves animal sacrifice and non-vegetarian food offerings.
The court's specific directives include:
- Restricting the festival to Santhanakoodu Urus alone.
- Limiting the number of participants to a maximum of 50 people.
- Enforcing a complete ban on animal sacrifice, carrying meat, and cooking or carrying any non-vegetarian food from the basement to the summit of Thiruparankundram hill.
- Instructing authorities to strictly adhere to previous High Court judgments and civil suit verdicts on the matter.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The court's intervention came on a petition filed by M Manickamoorthy. The petitioner alleged that despite existing court orders, the dargah management had displayed notices and wall posters announcing plans to perform Kandhoori during the Santhanakoodu festival celebrations from December 12, 2025, to January 6, 2026.
This move was seen as a direct challenge to earlier judicial rulings. In prior hearings on public interest litigations, the High Court had maintained that animal sacrifice at the hilltop dargah could not be permitted unless the management legally established the practice as essential by approaching a civil court.
Implications and Next Steps
The interim order represents a firm reinforcement of legal and regulatory control over religious practices in ecologically and socially sensitive areas. By capping attendees and enforcing a vegetarian mandate, the court aims to maintain order and prevent potential conflict.
The case has been adjourned to January 20 for the filing of a counter-affidavit by the concerned parties. The ruling underscores the ongoing tension between traditional religious customs and contemporary legal frameworks, setting a clear precedent for the conduct of such festivals at the revered Thiruparankundram site in Madurai district.
