Dargah festival commences amid protests by Hindu outfits in Madurai

Chennai: Amid protests by a section of Hindu devotees, the annual festival of the Sikkander Badusha dargah atop the Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai commenced on Sunday. The Hindu devotees protested against the nod given to Muslims to climb atop the hills for the festival while not permitting them to light the Karthigai Deepam on the Deepathoon earlier this month. 

However, several video footage from Thiruparankundram showed its residents welcoming Muslims and joining their procession. People from both religions have lived in harmony for the past century and have been respecting each other’s tradition – they had also asked groups from both faiths to desist from politics. 

Following permission from the Thirumangalam Revenue Divisional Officer, the flag was hoisted on December 21 night at the Sikandar Badusha Auliya Dargah for the "Santhana Koodu" festival on January 6, 2026.

A group of activists from BJP and right-wing organisations protested the permission given to Muslim devotees. They raised slogans against not being allowed atop the hill during the Karthigai Deepam festival, but were detained.

Meanwhile, the police on Monday permitted the Hindu devotees to visit the Kasi Viswanathar temple atop the Thiruparankundram hill from 6 am to 6 pm, subject to thorough frisking.