Chenna, Dec. 4 -- A tense standoff at the Thiruparankundram hill on Wednesday ended with the Karthigai Deepam being lit at its traditional spot, defying a Madras High Court order to light the lamp at a contested hilltop pillar.

Despite a directive from Justice GR Swaminathan to light the lamp at the "Deepathoon" - an ancient stone pillar - by 6pm, temple authorities lit it at the usual Uchipillaiyar temple mandapam. The defiance triggered a major controversy and resulted in a scuffle between police and right-wing activists, leaving one policeman injured.

The state government decided to challenge the court's directive, citing concerns over law and order.

The confrontation peaked when the petitioner, Rama Ravikumar, accompanied by Centra...