New Delhi, Jan. 24 -- The Supreme Court on Friday sought the response of the Centre and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a petition seeking a direction for the latter to take over Madurai's Thimpparankundram Lord Murugan Temple and to ensure the lamp on the top of the hill (Deepathoon) remains lit throughout the year.

A bench of justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi passed the order while issuing notice on a petition filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad. The lighting of the lamp on the hill had become controversial as the temple is situated near a dargah and the Madras high court last month directed the management to light a lamp as part of the Tamil Karthigai Deepam festival while directing the state authorities not to cause ...