Chennai, Dec. 10 -- The centuries-old religious area of Madurai, with a temple and dargah resting in close proximity, has largely remained free of any communal tensions, with both coexisting in relative harmony

Tirupparankundram in Madurai's hilltop region has deep spiritual importance with the Subramaniya Swamy Temple at its base, and the Sultan Sikkandar Avulia Dargah on the summit. The Kashivishwanathan temple is also located in the midst of the hills.

First dispute dated to 1915

The area first witnessed a dispute in 1915, around a hundred years ago. At that time, the Madura Meenakshi Devasthanam was administering the Swamy temple, which is also known as the six abodes of Lord Muruga.

It began when the hukdars (caretakers) of Sikka...