The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench has permitted the Santhanakoodu (Kanthuri) festival at the Thiruparankundram hill dargah on January 6, with strict prohibitions against animal sacrifice and non-vegetarian food preparation or consumption. The court directed that only the Santhanakoodu Urus festival be observed, limiting participants to 50. This decision follows a petition seeking to block the festival due to concerns over animal sacrifice and potential offense to religious sentiments. The Tamil Nadu government assured enforcement of previous court orders, restricting the 'Kandhoori Mahautsav'.