Sanitation lapses, accumulation of rice sacks, inadequate police deployment, and alleged manipulation in Padi Pooja bookings at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple came under sharp judicial scrutiny as the Kerala High Court directed immediate vigilance intervention and ordered production of booking records in sealed cover.
Case Details
- Case Title: SSCR No. 8 of 2026
- Court: High Court of Kerala
- Bench: Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V & Justice K.V. Jayakumar
- Date of Judgment: 25 February 2026
- Proceeding: Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report (Suo Motu)
- Related Matter: DBP No. 20 of 2026
The order arose from a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner detailing activities and issues during the Kumbha Masa Pooja held between February 12 and February 17, 2026, at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple.
Sanitation Shortfall During Kumbha Masa Pooja
The Special Commissioner flagged inadequate deployment of cleaning staff at Sannidhanam, resulting in what was described as a marginal decline in sanitation standards during the Kumbha Masa Pooja period.
The Travancore Devaswom Board, through its Standing Counsel, explained that sanitation workers are allotted by the Revenue Divisional Officer/Additional District Magistrate based on requisitions submitted by the Devaswom.
During the relevant month, the number of personnel requisitioned was comparatively low, which led to the shortfall.
Assuring the Court that corrective steps had been taken, the Board submitted that the lapse would not recur in the ensuing month.
The High Court recorded the submission while emphasizing the need for vigilance in maintaining sanitation standards at a temple of such national significance.
Delay in Bhandaram Coin Counting
Another issue concerned the accumulation of coins in the Bhandaram. Only 13 employees had been deployed for counting during the relevant month, leading to delays and accumulation.
The Board attributed the manpower shortage to simultaneous conduct of the Shivaratri festival in several temples under its administration and the Vellayani Kaliyoottu festival, a triennial event that required substantial manpower deployment.
It was clarified that regular staff had to be deputed to those events and that daily wage workers could not be assigned to Bhandaram duties due to the sensitive nature of the work.
The Standing Counsel informed the Court that the counting process had since been expedited and that no pendency remained at the time of hearing.
Police Deployment Below Required Strength
The Court was informed that only 336 police personnel, including members of the Bomb Squad, had been deployed at Sannidhanam during the Kumbha Masa Pooja, against a stated requirement of 450 personnel.
The learned Government Pleader submitted that instructions would be obtained from the Coordinator and clarified that deployment is carried out in accordance with the Bandobast Scheme applicable to Sabarimala, Pamba, and Nilakkal.
The Bench recorded the submission, indicating that the issue of adequate security presence would require further attention.
Accumulation of Rice Sacks Despite Earlier Court Order
The Court expressed serious concern over the accumulation of rice sacks, despite an earlier order dated December 17, 2025, in SSCR No. 45 of 2025 directing prompt removal by contractors.
According to the report, the contractors failed to comply, resulting in substantial accumulation. The Amicus Curiae submitted that the stockpiling could affect the structural stability of the building and that the rice had already been damaged and rendered unsaleable.
The Devaswom Board explained that the Vigilance Officer had instructed the Special Officer not to remove the sacks pending investigation into allegations that cash and valuables were concealed within them. This, it was stated, caused the delay.
The Bench observed after perusing the photographs appended to the report:
“They do not present a satisfactory picture, and the concerns raised cannot be lightly brushed aside.”
The Court was informed that steps had now been initiated to remove the accumulated stock without further delay.
Alleged Misuse of Padi Pooja Booking System
The most serious issue highlighted in the report related to the conduct and booking of Padi Pooja at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple.
Padi Pooja, described as one of the most sacred and spiritually significant rituals, involves worship of the 18 holy steps (Pathinettampadi) and is conducted on select evenings after Pushpabhishekam. The ritual is performed by the Thantri in the presence of the Melsanthi and concludes with Aarathi.
The Court recorded that five such poojas are conducted every month and that participation carries immense religious value for devotees. Significantly, the Executive Officer informed the Court that bookings for Padi Pooja had already been made up to the year 2045.
The Bench observed that:
“The very fact that bookings extend nearly two decades into the future underscores both the demand for the ritual and the need for a transparent and strictly regulated system.”
The report further disclosed that a Vigilance enquiry had unearthed disturbing instances where certain individuals secured bookings using false or fictitious addresses and allegedly transferred such bookings to third parties for higher consideration.
The Court did not mince words, stating:
“If true, such conduct is abhorrent and is to be deprecated.”
The Amicus Curiae submitted that when the Vigilance Officer insisted on proper identity verification, two individuals who had made bookings failed to appear to solemnise the Padi Pooja. This, the Court noted, lent credence to apprehensions that the booking system had been misused.
A prayer was made seeking directions to the Executive Officer to publish, at least one year in advance, the names and details of devotees who had booked Padi Poojas to ensure transparency and public scrutiny.
Further directions were sought to ensure that only genuine devotees who lawfully secured bookings were permitted to perform the ritual and that no unauthorised transfer or substitution was allowed.
High Court Orders Sealed Custody of Booking Records
After “anxious and serious consideration,” the Bench held that the issue was not merely administrative but went to the sanctity of temple rituals and the credibility of the booking process.
The Court noted that the Executive Officer had already been directed to appear before it on March 4, 2026, pursuant to orders in DBP No. 20 of 2026.
In a significant direction, the High Court ordered the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) to:
- Forthwith take possession and secure custody of all registers and connected records relating to Padi Pooja bookings.
- Include records detailing how bookings up to the year 2045 were effected.
- Produce the said records before the Court in a sealed cover.
The Bench clarified that this was to ensure the integrity of the records and facilitate proper judicial scrutiny.
The matter has been posted for further consideration on March 4, 2026.
Kuthaka Agreement and Pulpaya Supply
The final issue concerned alleged violation of the Kuthaka agreement relating to the supply of Pulpaya. The Standing Counsel submitted that, despite certain personal grievances expressed by the contractor, the supply was not disrupted and alternate arrangements were made to ensure continuity.
The Court recorded the submission while keeping the matter pending for further consideration on the next date of hearing.
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