Kerala High Court Directs Travancore Devaswom Board to Provide Free ‘Annadhanam’ for Sabarimala Pilgrims

Keyword: Sabarimala pilgrims free annadhanam

The Kerala High Court has issued a significant directive to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), ensuring that no money is collected from Sabarimala pilgrims availing of ‘annadhanam’ (free meals) at the ‘edathavalams’ (halting points) during the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

The bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and Muralee Krishna S, passed the order in response to a complaint filed by a devotee. The petitioner alleged that donations were being collected from pilgrims availing of annadhanam at temples under TDB’s management during the pilgrimage season, despite its charitable nature.

The High Court clarified its position, directing the TDB and the Devaswom Commissioner to:

1. Ensure proper facilities: Provide adequate toilets, annadhanam, and other essential amenities to Sabarimala pilgrims at edathavalams and other temples under the Board’s management.
2. Prevent unauthorized collections: Strictly prohibit the collection of money from devotees or pilgrims under the guise of contributions to the ‘annadhanam fund’ or ‘annadhanam vazhipadu’.

The Court’s directive underscores the importance of upholding the sanctity of charitable offerings, particularly during religious pilgrimages, while ensuring that pilgrims are not burdened financially.

The Mandala-Makaravilakku season sees an influx of millions of devotees to the revered Sabarimala temple. With this directive, the Kerala High Court seeks to protect the rights of pilgrims while ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of religious services.

This judgment reaffirms the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of devotees and ensuring that religious institutions fulfill their responsibilities without imposing undue financial obligations on pilgrims. The Travancore Devaswom Board is expected to comply with these directives and submit an action plan to the Court, ensuring that all necessary measures are in place for the upcoming pilgrimage season.

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