PM Modi to visit Madurai on March 1, may visit Thiruparankundram temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu on March 1 to address a rally in Madurai. He may also visit the Thiruparankundram temple, which has been at the centre of a major controversy over the lighting of a Deepam. The temple, considered the first of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, has been embroiled in a legal dispute for two months regarding the lighting of a lamp atop the hill where a dargah is located. The BJP and Hindu groups have criticised the DMK government for not complying with court orders allowing the lighting of the lamp. This will be the Prime Minister's second prominent visit to Madurai, following a recent meeting with NDA alliance leaders including T.T.V. Dinakaran.