India, Dec. 5 -- The Madras High Court on Friday asked the Tamil Nadu government again to explain its repeated failure to permit the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the Deepathoon, the ancient stone lamp pillar on Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai district.

The Deepatohoon issue has become contentious after authorities refused permission for the lighting ceremony despite successive high court orders.

The development came on a day when the Tamil Nadu government also moved the Supreme Court, mentioning its special leave petition before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking urgent hearing of its challenge to the High Court's directions permitting devotees to light the lamp.

The CJI asked the State to get its plea numbered ...