Latest news with #TravancoreDevaswomBoard
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- The Hindu
Restrictions on videography at Sabarimala to be tightened
With just months to go for the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, regulations on media coverage at the Ayyappa temple is set to be tightened further with the Kerala High Court moving to expand existing restrictions on photography and videography within the temple premises. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is expected to soon hold a meeting with the Chief Police Coordinator to review and decide on guidelines for videography in sensitive areas such as the Melethirumuttam and the sanctum sanctorum. The decision, to be taken in consultation with the temple Tantri, will be submitted to the High Court for its consideration. The move follows a report by Sabarimala Special Commissioner Jayakrishnan R., who flagged multiple violations of videography restrictions during the previous pilgrimage season. Acting on the report, a Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. has directed the TDB to take appropriate action. The report highlighted two major incidents of unauthorised videography in restricted zones. In one case, a temporary staffer at the emergency operating centre was caught filming the Harivarasanam ritual using his mobile phone near the Sopanam, violating temple regulations. In another instance, several press photographers were seen climbing the railings of the Sopanam to capture visuals of the Thanka Anki procession. Photographs submitted with the report showed mediapersons installing tripods on the Sopanam railings and around the Thirumuttam and the Devaswom building near the Melethirumuttam for live coverage of the Makaravilakku festival. The High Court also prohibited the use of helicams at Sabarimala by mediapersons, citing that the temple and its surrounding areas fell under a special security zone as defined by Section 82(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. However, it clarified that this restriction does not apply to surveillance operations. The court further banned installation of tripods on the Sopanam railings and emphasised that any equipment set up for live telecast of the Makarajyothi darshan must be installed only at designated spots, with prior approval from the TDB and the Chief Police Coordinator, Sabarimala. 'Travancore Devaswom Board officials and the police shall take necessary steps to ensure that videography in the permitted areas at Sabarimala does not cause any inconvenience to pilgrims,' it said. The court also stipulated that only accredited mediapersons, those recommended by the heads of their organisations and cleared by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, may be issued identity cards by the TDB. Their accommodation must comply with earlier court directives. Last year, the High Court had restricted media access to the Sabarimala temple, mandating that only journalists with valid ID cards issued by the TDB would be permitted to cover events at the temple.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- The Hindu
Karkidaka Vavu: TDB completes arrangements for Bali tharpanam
Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has made elaborate arrangements in its temples to facilitate smooth 'bali tharpanam' for devotees during Karkidaka Vavu day. Addressing media persons in Kottayam, Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan said preparations for this year's Karkidaka Vavu bali tharpanam were complete at all main centres. The performance of ritual will be held from 2:30 a.m. on July 24 to 12:42 a.m. the next day. 'Bali tharpanam ceremonies are being held in more than 100 temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board, including the Thiruvallam Parasuramaswamy Temple, Shanghumughom beach, Varkala, Thirumullavaram and sand bed at Aluva. All the preparations have already been completed in collaboration with various departments including KSRTC, police, Fire and Rescue Services, and Revenue,' he said. Steps have been taken to ensure that devotees should not be subjected to financial exploitation under any circumstances. Out of the 20 groups of the TDB, 15 groups have bali tharpanam centres. The rate for offering bali tharpanam in temples under the Board will be ₹100, which is inclusive of all expenses. The rate for the ritual 'thilahoma' inside temples will be ₹65. Deputy Devaswom Commissioners have been appointed as special officers in important temples. TDB is currently carrying out activities such as providing basic facilities for devotees in temples where bali tharpanam is being held, constructing temporary pavilions, erecting barricades, cleaning the temple and its surroundings and deputing priests required for the tharpanam. A special officer is also responsible for coordinating these activities at each location. Services of scuba teams have been ensured at all the dangerous piers. A decision has also been taken to depute more lifeguards at Shanghumughom. The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has informed that arrangements will be made for cleaning activities at the places where bali tharpanam is held within its limits. The board appoints priests and co-priests as required inside the temples, mandapams and piers, where bali tharpanam ceremonies are held. The board has instructed the respective temple devaswoms to provide the necessary items for the ritual, distribute them, assign staff for cleaning, etc.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- The Hindu
Devotees slip along trek path in Sabarimala; TDB to kickstart flaming of stones on war footing
With a growing number of devotees sustaining injuries from slips along the Neelimala stretch, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has once again closed the Neelimala route on the Pampa–Sannidhanam trekking path in Sabarimala. Thirteen devotees sustained injuries on Saturday alone while descending the hillock amid heavy rains after offering darshan at the hill shrine in the evening. All the injured were given first aid at the Pampa General Hospital and later shifted to the Pathanamthitta General Hospital for further treatment. Following his, a police team from Pampa rushed to the spot and stopped trekking via the Neelimala route. Confirming the development, TDB president P.S. Prashanth said steps are in place to commence works to improve grip on the granite stones laid along the trekking path from Pampa to Marakkoottam. The devotees, meanwhile, are now being permitted to move through the Swami Ayyappan Road for the time being. 'The process involves applying high-temperature flames to the surface of the stone steps, which causes minerals in the rock to expand and fracture. This creates a rough, non-slip texture ideal for wet conditions,' he explained. Given a favourable weather, the work is slated to complete wihin a couple of months. Mahesh Panikkar, a sculptor who led construction of the new Navagraha temple in Sabarimala, will oversee the process. Recent incident Earlier on June 16, the route was similarly closed after around 30 devotees were injured while coming for the monthly pujas associated with the Malayalam month of Mithunam. Following that incident, the Travancore Devaswom Board had announced that the route would only be reopened after granite stones laid along the path were made more slip-resistant. Despite this assurance, the route was reopened without implementing the promised safety work. The traditional trekking path, a vital segment of the forest pilgrimage trail, was paved with stones at a cost of ₹12 crore under the Swadesh Darshan scheme two years ago. Continuous footfall from lakhs of pilgrims has polished the stones over time, making them dangerously smooth, particularly during monsoons, when moss, rotting leaves and mud add to the risk.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
No permission to install idol on Sabarimala premises, TDB tells HC
The Kerala High Court has sought all files related to the alleged permission granted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to a private person to install an idol of Ayyappa at the Sabarimala temple. In a suo motu proceeding on Thursday, the Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. wanted the board to clarify whether it had issued permission to any one to install the idol. The Bench initiated the proceedings based on a report filed by R. Jayakrishnan, Sabarimala Special Commissioner, who noted that the TDB had permitted the chairperson of a multi-speciality hospital in Erode to install an idol of Ayyappa made of panchaloham, an alloy of five precious metals, at the temple, without hindering the temple structure and rituals. The report also took note of the distribution of pamphlets bearing bank account number, QR code and mobile numbers that said that a two-feet high idol weighing 108 kg and costing ₹9 lakh was to be installed there. A fundraising campaign also began, on the strength of the 'permission' granted by the TDB, creating an impression that he was authorised to do so by the TDB and the State government, the report said. The Sabarimala Tantri had informed the Special Commissioner that he was unaware of the alleged attempt to install the idol, which was against temple rituals. The Special Commissioner sought the interference of the court in the issue and stringent directions to stop such practices in the temple. The TDB submitted before the court that no permission was granted to the hospital's chairperson to install any idol on the temple premises. Neither was permission granted to collect money from the public, it contended. The court directed the TDB to issue an advisory in the Virtual-Q platform that it has not authorised anyone to install an idol of Ayyappa for worship on the temple premises or to collect money from the public for the purpose. The case has been listed for hearing on Friday.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fund drive for Sabarimala idol: Kerala HC intervenes
Kochi: High court on Thursday intervened in the matter concerning the collection of funds from Tamil Nadu by a private party for installing a 'Panchaloha Vigraham' (an idol made of an alloy of gold, silver, copper, zinc and iron) of Lord Ayyappa within the Sabarimala temple premises. A bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to issue an advisory on the Virtual-Q platform clarifying that no person has been authorised to install such an idol, nor has anyone been permitted to collect money from the purpose. The direction was issued based on a report by the Sabarimala special commissioner. According to the report, E K Sahadevan, chairman of Lotus Multispeciality Hospital and IVF Fertility Centre, Erode, allegedly circulated a pamphlet claiming that the TDB had permitted him to install the Panchaloha Vigraham and it would not interfere with the temple structure or rituals. The idol would be 2 feet in height, weigh 108kg and cost around Rs 9 lakh. The pamphlet also contained details of a bank account number and a mobile number for the public to contribute funds. However, the report noted that the Sabarimala tantri has stated that he has no knowledge of such an initiative and that installing an idol would violate temple rituals and affect the sanctity of the principal deity. The report also included a communication from the TDB secretary to the Sabarimala executive officer, stating that the board had decided to permit the installation of an idol of Lord Ayyappa within the temple premises, 'without causing any kind of hindrance to the structure and rituals of the temple. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Ukraine (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo ' While considering the matter, the TDB's standing counsel, on telephonic instructions from the executive officer, submitted that no official permission has been granted to install the idol or collect money from the public. HC, however, directed the counsel to produce the relevant files relating to the communication by Friday, and adjourned the matter.
