No Pilgrim is Permitted to Play Drum in Front of Sopanam of Sabarimala, Says Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board that administers the Sabarimala temple to take all mandatory steps in order to ensure that pilgrims who worship at the temple premises will be held in an appropriate manner.

A division bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar passed the order after it noted incidents of pilgrims carrying posters of movie stars and also performing with instruments at the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

The Court in its order stated, “We deem it appropriate to dispose of this DBP by directing the Travancore Devaswom Board to take necessary steps to ensure that no pilgrim is permitted entry to Sabarimala Sannidhanam through Pathinettampadi, or to have darshan in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, carrying posters and huge photographs of celebrities, politicians,etc. and also no pilgrim is permitted to play drum or other similar instruments in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam since every ‘worshipper’, who shows reverence and adoration for Lord Ayyappa, is duty-bound to exercise his right to worship in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in Sabarimala.”

The issue was taken up by the Court suo motu on the basis of a Sabarimala devotee complaint mailed to Registrar General of the High Court, about pilgrims bringing posters and photographs of celebrities, politicians, etc. to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

The Court later said that the restrictions imposed at Sabarimala are applicable to all worshippers who are duty- bound to obey such restrictions, in order to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims, mainly during peak festival seasons such as the ongoing Mandala-Makaravilakku festival.

The Court recorded the submission of the standing counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board that a show cause notice has been issued to the Board to take necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.