Court orders Devaswom Board to submit roadmap for Sabarimala pilgrimage preparations

The Kerala High Court bench asked the Board to explain how the directions issued by Chief Minister VD Satheesan at a high-level meeting on September 11 would be implemented, and what steps had been taken to ensure compliance.The directions came while the court was hearing a petition initiated by it over various activities undertaken at the Lord Ayyappa temple during the monthly poojas.Kochi,Oct 8, 2026 11:52 ISTWith the Sabarimala pilgrimage season approaching, the Kerala High Court has asked the Travancore Devaswom Board to spell out when the various preparatory works will be completed and how their quality will be ensured.A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar directed the Board to submit a detailed statement listing each work, its expected completion date and the measures in place to ensure it meets the required standards.The court also sought details of the mechanism to ensure the works are completed within the stipulated timelines.The bench further asked the Board to explain how the directions issued by Chief Minister VD Satheesan at a high-level meeting on September 11 would be implemented, and what steps had been taken to ensure compliance. "The statement shall also specify the time frame within which each work is expected to be completed and the mechanism put in place to ensure that the works are completed within the stipulated time and in accordance with the required standards," the court said.The directions came while the court was hearing a petition initiated by it over various activities undertaken at the Lord Ayyappa temple during the monthly poojas. During the proceedings, the state government lawyer said several high-level meetings had been held by Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan and the Chief Minister to review preparations by various government departments and the Board for the 2026-27 Sabarimala pilgrimage and issue necessary directions.The court was also informed that the Chief Minister had firmly directed all departments to complete pilgrimage-related preparatory works on or before October 31.- Ends