Wed Sep 03 15:19:30 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Kerala High Court is questioning the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) about the planned “Global Ayyappa Sangamam” scheduled for September 20th on the banks of the Pampa river. A public interest litigation argues the event is political and shouldn’t be held in Ayyappa’s name. The TDB claims the event promotes Sabarimala as a global pilgrimage site and religious harmony, funded by sponsorships, not public funds. The court seeks clarity on the event’s nature, schedule, and sponsorship details, emphasizing the need for transparency and that sponsorships should be from credible sources. The next hearing is scheduled for September 9th.

**News Article:**

**Kerala High Court Demands Clarity on “Global Ayyappa Sangamam”**

**KOCHI, September 3, 2025** – The Kerala High Court has raised concerns regarding the “Global Ayyappa Sangamam,” an event scheduled to be held on the banks of the Pampa river on September 20th. A Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and other stakeholders to provide detailed information about the event’s nature, schedule, and funding sources.

The court’s intervention came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by lawyer Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi, who alleges that the event is political and should not be conducted in the name of Lord Ayyappa.

The TDB claims the “Sangamam” aims to showcase Sabarimala as a global pilgrimage center and promote religious harmony, coinciding with the TDB’s platinum jubilee. The TDB’s counsel assured the court that the event will be funded entirely through sponsorships, without utilizing public funds or TDB resources.

The court emphasized the need for transparency and insisted that sponsorships must come from verifiable and credible sources. The court also stated that if the event is organized by the TDB it must be spiritual and religious. It said devotees’ resources cannot be used for this.

The court also pointed out the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the Pampa river, often referred to as the “Dakshina Ganga,” where the event is planned.

The State government maintains its role is limited to providing crowd management support, placing the responsibility for the event squarely on the TDB. The court has issued a notice to the respondents and scheduled the next hearing for September 9th, pending further clarification.

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