With approximately 150 cardiac events reported at Sabarimala during each Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, of which 40 to 42 devotees die, the Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ready a protocol, including a detailed health advisory, to ensure pilgrims’ health, safety, and orderly movement.
The protocol must be uploaded on the board’s website and published through media in multiple languages, apart from public announcements, banners. and SMS alerts within seven days. On their part, devotees must take adequate rest breaks along the stretch to avoid overexertion, the court said, whilst referring to a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner which spoke of eight such deaths being reported in the first eight days of the season.
Ambulance service
The court also referred to a report on the necessity of an ambulance to shift bodies of deceased devotees from the Sannidhanam to Pampa, while considering a suo motu proceeding. Their bodies are now being transported in stretchers, which causes significant distress and discomfort to relatives of the deceased.
The Special Commissioner had sought a directive to use an old ambulance stationed at Pampa for the purpose. Already the board had decided to use the ambulance to transport their mortal remains, the court was informed.
Ghee, honey
The court also directed that steps be taken to end the ‘illegal sale’ of ‘Aditya Sishtam Ghee’ at Melshanti rooms in the Sannidhanam and Malikappuram and the improper packaging of honey for different pujas. This too followed a report by the Special Commissioner on the issue.s
Citing a ‘stealth inspection’ that revealed the disturbing practice, wherein the ghee was being sold to devotees in plastic cans for ₹100, the court said this practice was reprehensible and impermissible.
Such clandestine activities undermined the sanctity of the rituals, compromise transparency, and create opportunities to exploit unsuspecting devotees. Steps must be taken to end this practice, said a Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar.
The court also directed the Regional Agro Industrial Development Cooperative to ensure that honey was retained and supplied only in containers bearing FSAAI compliant labelling and certification. The matter was posted for hearing on December 3.
Published – November 29, 2025 08:42 pm IST
