Citing environmental concerns, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday refused to modify an order it had issued to the Travancore Devaswom Board on Monday restricting the sale of shampoo sachets and the chemical vermilion (kumkum) in Sabarimala.
The court expressed concern over the threat these items posed to the ecology of the region, saying it was more concerned about the ecological risks than the commercial interests of the stall owners that may be affected by the ban. The court heard a lawsuit filed by some of the stall owners, who claimed that vermilion is necessary in the pilgrimage season and belongs to tradition. They further claimed that they had paid the suppliers for the goods in advance.
The court was informed on Monday that vermilion, which was earlier produced using traditional methods, has been replaced by a chemical substitute over the years. This was sprayed on the bodies of people who perform ‘pettathullal’. To remove it, shampoos stored in plastic bags and detergents are used.
Erumely grama panchayat alleged that such materials were being dumped in the locality. As a result, what was once a celebration of nature has turned into a source of chemical exposure, dermatological toxicity and environmental degradation. These chemicals caused aquatic toxicity and also reduced oxygen levels in bodies of water.
Published – 12 Nov 2025 20:37 IST
