With their presence and absence, community organisations leave an impact on Global Ayyappa Sangamam

While the development of Sabarimala into a global pilgrimage centre remained the central theme of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pampa on Saturday, it was the participation of community organisations in the event, organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board in association with the State government, that drew the most attention.

As announced earlier, the leadership of the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam marked their presence. However, the Pandalam Palace, which shares a historic and spiritual bond with Ayyappa’s legend, chose to stay away. While the palace cited rituals following the demise of two family members as the immediate reason, it also reiterated its long-standing discontent with the State government and the Travancore Devaswom Board. The palace had demanded the withdrawal of cases related to the 2018 women’s entry protests and assurances that temple traditions would remain unchanged as preconditions for attending the conclave.

Contrary to Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan’s claims, the Malayaraya Mahasabha too abstained, protesting against the State government’s ‘inaction’ in restoring the traditional rights of the community over the Sabarimala temple.

From Tamil Nadu

Presiding over the event, Mr. Vasavan read out messages from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Mr. Stalin, while expressing gratitude for the invitation, deputed two Cabinet colleagues to represent Tamil Nadu due to prior commitments. Mr. Adityanath described Ayyappa as ‘the divine protector of dharma’ and highlighted the sangamam’s role in fostering harmony, inclusivity and India’s spiritual traditions.

The conclave also saw the presence of political, social and cultural dignitaries, including Ministers P. Prasad, Roshy Augustine, K. Krishnankutty, A.K. Saseendran, Veena George, and Saji Cherian, along with Chief Whip N. Jayaraj. Among other notable attendees were former Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, NSS vice president M. Sangeeth Kumar, Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha general secretary Punnala Sreekumar, Kerala Brahmana Sabha representative Karimpuzha Raman, business magnate Gokulam Gopalan, and musicians Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri and K. Omanakutty.

Kandararu Mohanaru, former Tantri of the Ayyappa temple, who had earlier been kept away from the Sannidhanam following controversies, was also among the invitees on the stage.

Meanwhile, reports of Tamil Nadu Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan expressing displeasure over the delay in inviting him to speak came as an embarrassment to the organisers.