MADURAI: The annual Sandanakoodu Kanduri festival of Sikandar Badusha Dargah atop the Tiruparankundram hill here commenced amidst protests by a section of Hindu devotees who questioned local officials for granting permission to the event, whereas the High Court verdict was not implemented in the Karthigai Deepam lamp lighting case, directing lighting at a new place instead of Uchi Pillayar Temple as done by the temple authorities.

Following permission from the Tirumangalam Revenue Divisional Officer, the flag was hoisted on the night of December 21 at Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badushah Auliya Dargah in connection with the Santhanakoodu festival on January 6, 2026.

Even as the Sandanakoodu festival went ahead with syncretic practices, including Hindu devotees participating, and a traditional Hindu nadaswaram performance at the shrine, right-wing Hindutva groups opposed the permission granted for the religious event.

Protesting against the decision of the official, a section of devotees and BJP functionaries staged a ‘road roko’ agitation on Sunday night, seeking to know how permission could be granted to one community while the Madras High

Court order on lighting the Karthigai Deepam atop a stone pillar near the dargah was not carried out, even as an appeal against the verdict is being heard by a two-judge bench.

The protesters were detained. Both the Hindu Munnani and the BJP flayed the local authorities for the “dual standards.