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?

  • A. An ancient stone pillar used as a lamp-post for lighting sacred fire
  • B. A processional palanquin used to carry the temple deity during Karthigai Deepam
  • C. A traditional bronze multi-tiered standing lamp placed inside the sanctum
  • D. A monolithic flag-staff (Dhwajasthambham) installed at the temple entrance

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?

  1. Thiruparankundram
  2. Palani
  3. Madurai Meenakshi Sundareshwarar
  4. Pazhamudircholai
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

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?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Eight

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'?

  • A. Palani
  • B. Tiruchendur
  • C. Thiruparankundram
  • D. Swamimalai

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?

  • A. The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959
  • B. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991
  • C. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
  • D. The Waqf Act, 1995
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