India, Dec. 3 -- In a sharp late-evening order, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court reprimanded the Tamil Nadu government for "wilful disobedience" after the Karthigai Deepam lamp was not lit on the historic Deepathoon pillar at Thirupparankundram, despite a clear directive issued on December 1.

Instead of following the court order, the temple lit the lamp at its traditional location near the Uchipillaiyar temple, a practice in place for over a century.

"Contempt has been committed. the order has been breached," the judge said, adding that the petition was "not premature."

He noted the temple's executive officer was unreachable, the temple's appeal against the order was defective, and the dargah - the only party that could have ...