The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear the Tamil Nadu government's challenge to the Madras High Court's order permitting the lighting of a lamp on the Thirupparankundram hill. However, the Bench declined to grant interim relief by staying the operation of the Madras High Court's order. The writ petitions before the High Court had been filed by individuals seeking recognition of their right to light the 'Karthigai Deepam' at the spot. It also rejected the State's contention that the Deepa Thoon was merely a survey stone erected during British rule. The fresh SLP filed by the State now seeks to set aside the High Court's orders permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepa Thoon near the Dargah on the Thiruparankudram hill.