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Supreme Court Upholds Kerala HC Order Allowing Global Ayyappa Conclave at Pampa

Top court dismisses petitions citing ecological and secularism concerns; says HC’s conditions must be followed

Travancore Devaswom Board to host one-day event with strict environmental and pilgrim access safeguards

By Our Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, September 18, 2025:

The Supreme Court of India has refused to interfere with a Kerala High Court order permitting the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, an international gathering of Lord Ayyappa devotees, to be held on September 20, 2025 on the banks of the River Pampa near the Sabarimala shrine.

A bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice A.S. Chandurkar dismissed multiple petitions challenging the High Court’s September 11 order, which had allowed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to organise the event subject to strict conditions.

Petitioners’ Concerns

The petitioners — including Ayyappa devotee P.S. Mahendrakumar — argued that:

The event site lies within the ecologically sensitive Periyar Tiger Reserve, and large gatherings could harm the fragile environment.
The conclave could disrupt the sanctity of the Sabarimala pilgrimage and block access to facilities for ordinary pilgrims.
Temple funds and infrastructure might be diverted for a programme with political and commercial motives.
The event could breach the principle of secularism if organised with active state involvement.

They also pointed to a 2022 precedent, when the Kerala government opposed a proposed ‘Ram Katha’ on the same riverbank, citing environmental laws. In that case, the High Court had withdrawn permission and ordered removal of structures.

Supreme Court’s Stand

The apex court noted that the Kerala High Court had already examined the matter in detail and issued elaborate guidelines to safeguard the environment, religious sanctity, and pilgrims’ rights.

“We are not inclined to interfere with the order of the High Court as it is interim in nature. Needless to say, all questions are left open for being considered by the High Court,” the bench said.

The judges stressed that the High Court’s conditions must be strictly followed and that the event was only for one day.

Kerala High Court’s Key Conditions

The High Court’s September 11 order laid down several safeguards:

No Compromise on Sanctity — No event should be conducted on the banks of the River Pampa in a way that compromises its sanctity, whether by erecting permanent or temporary structures.
Minimal Structures — Any temporary structures must be minimal, least intrusive, and designed to prevent environmental damage.
No Disruption to Rituals — The conclave must not disturb or diminish any rituals, ceremonies, or related functions of the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
Ban on Plastic — No plastic bottles, cups, or non-biodegradable waste should be used or generated; cleanliness of the river must be preserved at all times.
Pilgrim Access — Security or VIP arrangements must not disrupt the ingress or egress of ordinary pilgrims.
Financial Transparency — Detailed accounts of event costs, sponsorships, and contributions must be maintained and audited.
Equal Treatment — All participants must be treated solely as devotees, with no special privileges for dignitaries.

About the Global Ayyappa Sangamam

The conclave is being organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board in association with the Kerala government. It aims to:

Bring together Ayyappa devotees from across the world.
Generate ideas and resources for implementing the Sabarimala Master Plan.
Strengthen the pilgrimage’s role as a unifying spiritual force.

The event is expected to draw thousands of participants, including chief ministers, ministers from neighbouring states, and foreign dignitaries.

State Government’s Position

The Kerala government told the High Court that it was only providing organisational support and that the TDB was the primary organiser. It argued that the event was within the Board’s statutory powers and would not infringe on religious traditions or environmental safeguards.

Political and Legal Debate

Critics allege that the conclave is a politically motivated event disguised as a religious gathering. They argue that state sponsorship of such a programme blurs the line between religion and governance, raising constitutional questions about secularism and the fiduciary use of temple property.

Supporters counter that the event is a legitimate cultural and spiritual congregation that can boost the global profile of the Sabarimala pilgrimage and attract resources for its development.

Past Precedent: The ‘Ram Katha’ Case

In 2022, the Kerala High Court had stopped a proposed ‘Ram Katha’ on the Pampa riverbank after the state government argued it violated forest laws. Petitioners in the current case cited this as evidence of inconsistent policy and selective application of environmental concerns.

Supreme Court’s Closing Remarks

Justice Narasimha questioned why the event had become so controversial, to which counsel for one petitioner replied, “Because it is a political move.”

However, the bench emphasised that the High Court’s order was interim and that all substantive legal questions could still be examined later.

Case Snapshot

Case Title	Multiple petitions vs. Travancore Devaswom Board & State of Kerala
Supreme Court Bench	Justice P.S. Narasimha, Justice A.S. Chandurkar
HC Order Date	September 11, 2025
Event Date	September 20, 2025
Event Location	Banks of River Pampa, near Sabarimala shrine
Organisers	Travancore Devaswom Board with Kerala government support
Key Issues	Environmental impact, secularism, use of temple funds, pilgrim access
Outcome	SC refused to interfere; HC’s conditions to be followed

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s refusal to halt the Global Ayyappa Sangamam underscores the judiciary’s preference to respect High Court oversight when adequate safeguards are in place.

While the event will proceed under strict conditions, the underlying debates over environmental protection, secular governance, and the role of state agencies in religious affairs are far from settled.

The High Court will retain the authority to review compliance and address any violations — meaning the legal and political spotlight on the Pampa riverbank will continue well beyond September 20.