Wednesday at the venue of the global Ayyapp Sangamam at the venue of the global Ayyapp Sangamam. | PHOTO CREDIT: LIJA KAMAL
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court refused to intervene against the order of the High Court in Kerala, which allowed Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to carry out global Ayyapp Sangamam, along the banks of the Pampa River, which flows in the neighborhood of the famous Sabarimala Temple and is located in Periyar reserve.
In his temporary order 11. September the High Court allowed the event under certain conditions. He said the event did not spoil the sacredness of the temple or river.
“We do not interfere with the command taken by the High Court because it is a temporary nature. The High Court described certain conditions to be observed to perform global Ayyapp Sangamam. No need to say that all questions are left to be considered that the High Court is considered.”
The attorneys for the petitioners, including the devotees of the Ajumucar, PS Mahendra Kumar and Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi, said that the Government in 2022 turned to the Kerala High Court against an event similarly near the river. They argued that the Supreme Court stopped this event and ordered the removal of structures because it violated forest laws and disrupted wild animals.
The petitioner advisor said Sangamam was a “pure commercial activity”.
“They can’t do it on the banks of Pampa. This event is intended to collect money. They can do it somewhere else, not Sabarimala. This event has no connection with religious or spiritual activities,” the petitioners said.
“It’s just a temporary order. Why should we intervene? Whether they have too much and whether it is appropriate to do it, the High Court looks at it,” Narasimha said.
One of the Petitioners Urged the Apex Court to “Respondents (State of Kerala and TDB, Their Officers, Agans and Assigns) From Proceding with or Conducting The Proposed Global Ayyappa Sangamam Sheted For September 20 Or from Utilising Temple Funds Contributions in the name of the Deity for Any Such Purpose, Pending the Hearing and Final Disposal of this Special Leave Petition ”.
Mr. Mahendra Kumar claimed that the High Court’s judgment was violated by the Hindu religious institutions of Travancore-Cochin from 1950.
Published – 17 September 2025 20:59 is
