The Tamil Nadu government, in its counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, has firmly defended the traditional practice at Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Tem. This is not an administrative choice. It is based on the Agamas, the opinion of Sthanikars, and continuous practice.The State government said that the Madras High Court’s directions in 1996 are still binding. Only the Devasthanam may light the Deepam, ordinarily at the traditional spot.