New Delhi: Ayyappa devotee Dr P. S. Mahendrakumar has moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the Kerala High Court’s 11 September order permitting the conduct of the ‘Global Ayyappa Sangamam’ at Pamba on 20 September 2025. He has also urged the court to restrain the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the state government from using temple funds, properties, or contributions for the event.
Kerala HC order
On 11 September, the Kerala High Court directed the TDB and the state to organise the event, but under strict conditions that the sanctity of the Sabarimala temple and the rights of pilgrims were not affected. The Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K. V. Jayakumar also stressed that financial transparency must be maintained, and environmental safeguards for the River Pamba ensured.
The order followed hearings on multiple petitions that sought to block the event, claiming it was a political programme misusing Lord Ayyappa’s name.
Plea before the Supreme Court
Challenging the HC’s ruling, Mahendrakumar filed a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court. He sought “a direction for staying the impugned order of 11.09.2025” and an injunction against the respondents from conducting the programme or using temple resources.
The plea argued that the Kerala HC’s judgment “travels far beyond the plain intent of Section 15A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950, by reading into it powers that the Legislature never envisaged.”
Allegations of misuse and constitutional concerns
Mahendrakumar contended that the order condoned active state sponsorship of a religious conclave, opening the door for possible misuse of temple trust property. The petition described the matter as one raising “grave constitutional questions touching upon the very basic structure of the Constitution, secularism, and the fiduciary nature of temple property.”
He added that the balance of convenience lies with the petitioners, since allowing the event could cause “irreversible” harm to the sanctity of the pilgrimage and the environment of the River Pamba.
Environmental and spiritual concerns
The plea warned that diverting temple funds, erecting temporary structures along the fragile riverbanks, and allowing political dignitaries into sacred precincts would irreparably damage the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
“The Sabarimala pilgrimage is rooted in austerity and simplicity; if commercialised and politicised, its character cannot be restored. The injury in question is not merely to the Petitioners but to the collective spiritual rights of millions of devotees,” the petition stated.
High Court’s safeguards
While rejecting earlier petitions, the Kerala High Court had emphasised that the spiritual experience of ordinary pilgrims must remain paramount. It laid down guidelines to ensure that devotees’ rights were not compromised and that temple sanctity was preserved.
The court also issued directives on financial accountability, environmental protection, and transparency in the use of resources.
Next steps
The Supreme Court is expected to hear Mahendrakumar’s petition before 20 September, as preparations for the Sangamam are reportedly underway. The outcome will determine whether the high-profile event can proceed as planned.