On October 17, 2025, the Kerala High Court dismissed all petitions challenging the conduct of the 'Global Ayyappa Sangamam' held on September 20, 2025, at the Sabarimala Shrine and the banks of the River Pamba. The petitions had alleged that the event was politically and commercially motivated, masquerading as a religious and secular gathering. The court had previously cleared the event on September 11, 2025, with specific directives to preserve the sanctity of the Sabarimala temple and the rights of its devotees. The Supreme Court had also declined to interfere in the matter.
In the recent proceedings, a petitioner contended that the event was funded by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), contrary to its affidavit stating that the event would be primarily financed through voluntary contributions. The TDB had clarified that the event was funded primarily through sponsorships and voluntary contributions. The Division Bench, comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, noted that the primary prayer was to declare the conduct of functions on the banks of the River Pamba as violative of constitutional mandates and the Devaswom scheme. The court found no reason to retain the petitions, stating that the event had already taken place and that similar petitions had been dismissed by the Supreme Court. Consequently, the writ petitions were dismissed.
A detailed order is awaited. The case is registered as WP(C) No. 33325/2025 and connected cases, titled SJR Kumar v. State of Kerala and Ors., with the citation 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 652.
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