UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Madras HC upholds order to light lampat Madurai stone pillar

Question 1

In the context of the recent Madras High Court ruling concerning Thirupparankundram, the term 'Deepathoon' refers to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

An ancient stone pillar used as a lamp-post for lighting sacred fire

Answer

A processional palanquin used to carry the temple deity during Karthigai Deepam

Answer

A traditional bronze multi-tiered standing lamp placed inside the sanctum

Answer

A monolithic flag-staff (Dhwajasthambham) installed at the temple entrance

Question 2

With reference to the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, consider the following temples:
1. Thiruparankundram
2. Palani
3. Madurai Meenakshi Sundareshwarar
4. Pazhamudircholai
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as part of the Arupadai Veedu?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 3

How many sacred shrines constitute the Arupadai Veedu, the tradition to which the Thirupparankundram Subramania Swamy Temple — at the centre of the recent Madras High Court ruling — belongs?

Accepted Answer

Six

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Answer

Eight

Question 4

Which one of the following is traditionally regarded as the FIRST (foremost) among the six Arupadai Veedu of Lord Murugan, as celebrated in Nakkirar's 'Thirumurugatrupadai'?

Accepted Answer

Thiruparankundram

Answer

Palani

Answer

Tiruchendur

Answer

Swamimalai

Question 5

The Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Devasthanam at Thirupparankundram — whose right to light the Deepathoon was upheld by the Madras HC Division Bench in January 2026 — is administered by the State under which one of the following enactments?

Accepted Answer

The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959

Answer

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991

Answer

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958

Answer

The Waqf Act, 1995

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Madras HC upholds order to light lampat Madurai stone pillar

Q1. In the context of the recent Madras High Court ruling concerning Thirupparankundram, the term 'Deepathoon' refers to which one of the following?

Q2. With reference to the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, consider the following temples: 1. Thiruparankundram 2. Palani 3. Madurai Meenakshi Sundareshwarar 4. Pazhamudircholai Which of the above is/are correctly identified as part of the Arupadai Veedu?

Q3. How many sacred shrines constitute the Arupadai Veedu, the tradition to which the Thirupparankundram Subramania Swamy Temple — at the centre of the recent Madras High Court ruling — belongs?

Q4. Which one of the following is traditionally regarded as the FIRST (foremost) among the six Arupadai Veedu of Lord Murugan, as celebrated in Nakkirar's 'Thirumurugatrupadai'?

Q5. The Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Devasthanam at Thirupparankundram — whose right to light the Deepathoon was upheld by the Madras HC Division Bench in January 2026 — is administered by the State under which one of the following enactments?