The controversial Agola Ayyappa Sangamam (Global Ayyappa Conclave), scheduled to take place on September 20 amid opposition from Hindu organisations and several contradictions, has now begun.
First of all, Tiruvitamcoor Devaswom Board (TDB) chairman Adv. P.S. Prashanth and V.N. Vasavan, the state Devaswom Minister and senior CPM leader, had been assuring devotees that the conclave would not affect their to-and-fro movements for temple visits. But, virtual queue booking has been blocked or restricted for September 19 and 20 to accommodate the participants of the Conclave. It is a blatant violation of the earlier promise.
In the meantime, the Kerala High Court has stayed a September 18, 2025 order from the Malabar Devaswom Board (MDB) that mandated temple officials to use their respective temples’ funds for travel and food expenses to attend the Global Ayyappa Conclave at Pampa on September 20. A petitioner challenged this order, arguing that temple funds are trust property for the deity and devotees, not for diversion to other purposes, especially when temples face financial issues. The Court stayed the order and called for the stand of the state government, MDB and its commissioner in response to the petition.
Mala Araya Samajam, a community organisation of the Mala Araya tribe, who are said to have been the real custodians of the temple since time immemorial, allege that they have not been invited to the Conclave. Several Hindu organisations such as Achara Samiti, Sabarimala-linked organisations, Hindu Aikyavedi and VHP are also not invited. The authorities of the Pandalam Royal family decided to abstain, mainly due to the government’s hesitation to withdraw thousands of cases registered in connection with the 2018 Sabarimala agitation, most of them fabricated. Yogakshema Sabha, the community organisation of Kerala Brahmin Namboodiris, has also not been invited.
According to available information, two Hindu community organisations — Nair Service Society of Nairs and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, founded by the legendary Hindu monk Sree Narayana Gurudev, the community organisation of OBC Ezhavas — are likely to attend.
Observers opine that this is because both are always blowing hot and cold on political issues and lapses of both the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
It is really a pity that the Kerala Government and TDB are “fortunate” to host only a minister and a few officers from Tamil Nadu. This is despite inviting governors, ministers and officials from several states. Even Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin avoided visiting Kerala to inaugurate the reception committee for the Conclave, despite the thick camaraderie between him and Pinarayi Vijayan.
From the very beginning, Pinarayi Vijayan, TDB president Prashanth and CPM secretary M.V. Govindan have been stating that it is not a government-sponsored programme, but purely a TDB event. Yet, the organisers have published a brochure bearing the pictures of the CM and TDB president, whereas Ayyappa is given a corner, tiny like a spot.
