Latest news with #Mandala-Makaravilakku
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Devaswom vigilance wing must inspect all food outlets in Sabarimala at least once a week, Kerala HC
Kochi: High court has ordered that the vigilance wing of Travancore devaswom board (TDB) must conduct regular inspections, at least once a week, in all hotels, restaurants, tea stalls and similar establishments during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season in Sabarimala. The court was considering a petition filed by the Akhila Bharatheeya Ayyappa Seva Sangam, seeking a directive to govt officials to ensure that food and beverages served at Sabarimala and Erumeli are hygienic and that no noxious substances or contaminated water are used or distributed to pilgrims, even if provided free of cost. Expressing concern over allegations that some food stalls in Erumeli had been preparing food in unhealthy and unhygienic conditions, unnoticed by any of the authorities deployed at Sabarimala during the festive season, the court said it was bewildered and dismayed. The bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar further directed that, before the commencement of each festive season, the govt shall ensure meetings of the various agencies and instrumentalities deployed at Sabarimala to guarantee the availability of safe drinking water and hygienic food. The Sabarimala special commissioner shall examine the reports of the chief vigilance officer, Sabarimala, on this issue and report the matter to the court if necessary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo The state food safety commissioner shall ensure that the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, are scrupulously followed at Sabarimala. Additionally, TDB shall initiate steps to blacklist licensees who violate statutory provisions or breach the conditions of their licence or Kuthaka right, the court added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
New Indian Express
08-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Kerala HC orders weekly hygiene checks at Sabarimala eateries during Mandala-Makaravilakku season
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance wing of Travancore Devaswom Board to conduct regular inspections at least once in every week at all the hotels, restaurants, tea stalls, etc, during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season in Sabarimala. The Chief Vigilance Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board should submit a report in this regard to the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala Devaswom. 'We are bewildered and dismayed, when we are informed about the way in which the beverages and food were prepared in a pilgrim place like Sabarimala where a large number of devotees visit in a day during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season,' stated the Bench. The court issued the order on the petition filed by Akhila Bharatheeya Ayyappa Seva Sangam of Kottayam seeking a directive to conduct regular inspection of places vending food and beverages in connection with Sabarimala pilgrimage in and around Erumely during Mandalam-Makaravilakku season and to ensure that food and beverages served there is hygienic and no noxious substances or water is being used or distributed to pilgrims, even free of cost. The petitioner also alleged that a person named Abdul Shameem has been vending lemon water, tea, coffee and juices in the most unhygienic and unhealthy manner, unauthorisedly tapping water from a toilet complex. 'We are disturbed to note that the person has run the shop for about two weeks using the dirty water from a toilet complex in an unhealthy and unhygienic condition, unnoticed by any of the authorities deployed in Sabarimala, during the festival season,' said the Division Bench.
Time of India
07-08-2025
- Time of India
TDB to host global Ayyappa meet at Pamba next month
T'puram: Devaswom minister V N Vasavan said the first-ever Global Ayyappa Convention will be organized in Sept. The event, part of devaswom board's 75th anniversary, will be held in Pamba. State govt and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will jointly organize the convention in the third week of Sept, he said. It aims to spread the message of 'Tat Tvam Asi' globally and to present Sabarimala as a divine, traditional and sustainable global pilgrimage centre. This first-ever Global Ayyappa Convention in Kerala will bring together Ayyappa devotees from various parts of the world and India. Around 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the event. The event is planned between Sept 16 and 21, with the exact date to be decided later. Invited delegates will have the opportunity to arrive a day earlier for darshan before participating in the convention. A German tent, similar to those used during the pilgrimage season, will be constructed in Pamba to accommodate 3,000 people. Vasavan stated that this convention marks the beginning of larger gatherings involving more participants in the future. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo During the previous Mandala-Makaravilakku festivals, approximately 5.3 million pilgrims were able to have darshan without complaints, which is widely acknowledged. Building on this experience, govt aims to ensure more facilities for devotees in the future. The convention will provide an opportunity for devotees to share their existing challenges and difficulties and to propose constructive suggestions. Development projects currently ongoing and planned for the future will be presented to the devotees and their feedback and suggestions will be sought. TNN Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- The Hindu
HC orders action under Wildlife Protection Act against people dumping, burning waste at Sabarimala
Taking note of the indiscriminate dumping of garbage at Sabarimala, the Kerala High Court has ordered initiation of action under the Wildlife Protection Act against those responsible for dumping and burning waste at the hill temple during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. This followed the death of two elephants and a deer after consuming plastic waste dumped on the temple premises. Periyar Tiger Reserve officials had submitted a report that elephants were coming in herds to eat garbage, especially empty plasticbags in which jaggery had been stored. Other wild animals too were often seen consuming this waste. Stating that the Sabarimala Sannidhanam was situated in a core and critical area of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot recognised as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, the court directed the Deputy Director of the tiger reserve to take action under the provisions of the Act. It is estimated that the average quantity of waste generated at Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season is 24 tonnes a day. Many hotels fail to segregate food and plastic waste into biodegradable bags for disposal. The court also directed that the ban on use of plastic and other bio-hazardous materials at Sabarimala and along the trekking path from Pampa to the Sannidhanam ought to be implemented scrupulously by all concerned and appropriate action be taken against those who violated it. For stocking or dispensing plastic in any form by commercial establishments at Sabarimala and surrounding areas, including the trekking path to the Sannidhanam, a fine of ₹2,000 shall be levied by forest officials for the first offence, ₹5,000 for the second offence, and closure of the establishment for subsequent offences. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), through the Executive Officer, Sabarimala, must close down the establishment which committed such an offence for the third time, it said. The court directed the TDB to politely inform pilgrims, including those coming from other States, to exclude plastic materials during the pilgrimage. An advisory to this effect must be published on the virtual-Q platform, for the information of the pilgrims, it added.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Travancore devaswom board staff should approach high court if they have plaints regarding Sabarimala duty, says court
Kochi: High court has held that if Travancore devaswom board (TDB) employees have any grievance regarding their deployment on special duty at Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival seasons or 'Masapoojas', they must approach the high court for relief.A division bench comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna issued the directive while considering a suo motu petition initiated by the high court in the Sabarimala matter. The issue arose from a report submitted by the devaswom ombudsman, which stated that a complaint had been received regarding the deployment of devaswom employees on special duty at Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival. Certain employees had approached the ombudsman seeking the formulation of guidelines for such the division bench was considering the petition, the TDB submitted that the deployment of employees on special duty at Sabarimala during the festival season is carried out strictly following the directions issued by high court in 2022. In that directive, the court had noted that the reluctance shown by board employees to report for special duty at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, Pamba and Nilakkal during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season cannot be taken lightly. It was further stated that employees who fail to report for special duty — except on genuine medical grounds or due to the ongoing festival in their temple — should face appropriate disciplinary disposing of the suo motu petition based on the ombudsman's report, the bench reiterated that devaswom employees cannot approach the ombudsman with complaints about the absence of guidelines for deployment on special duty at Sabarimala, as such matters are strictly governed by the directives of the court.
