HC Asks Marudhamalai Temple to Reconsider Location of 184-ft Lord Murugan Statue
The Madras High Court has directed the Marudhamalai Subramaniaswamy Temple management to reconsider the proposed location for a 184-feet tall statue of Lord Murugan, citing ecological concerns. A division bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and D. Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that the site identified for the massive structure lies close to reserve forest areas, where construction activity could place undue stress on the fragile ecosystem.
The court noted that religious and cultural projects must also account for environmental sustainability, particularly in regions known for rich biodiversity. It asked the temple authorities to evaluate alternative locations that would avoid ecological disturbance while still fulfilling devotional objectives.
The bench also sought reports from forest officials and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department on the potential environmental impact. Further hearing has been scheduled after the submission of these assessments, with the court stressing the need for a balanced approach between faith and conservation.
