In a landmark decision, the Kerala High Court has ordered the Travancore Devaswom Board to take decisive action against unauthorized entities exploiting devotees visiting the Sabarimala temple by charging them for the ‘pottukuthal’ ritual. This ritual involves the application of sacred substances such as Vibhuthi, Sindoor, or Chandanam, traditionally part of the pilgrimage experience.
A Division Bench, led by Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar, made it abundantly clear that the exploitation of pilgrims under any guise, such as charging for pottukuthal, will not be tolerated. “Exploitation of pilgrims who are on pilgrimage to Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa cannot be permitted… No devotee or Sabarimala pilgrim can be exploited by any person,” the Bench sternly noted.
The controversy began with a tender notification issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board that allowed certain recognized private entities to charge pilgrims Rs 10 per person for performing the ritual at Erumeli, a major base camp for the devotees. This notification was met with significant opposition as it seemed to infringe upon the devotees’ constitutional right to freely practice their religious beliefs without undue burden.
The petition challenging the Board’s decision was brought forth by several devotees, represented by advocates Sajith Kumar V, Vivek AV, and Sreehari VS. They argued that the tender violated their religious freedoms, highlighting that while voluntary donations were customary, mandating a fee was unprecedented and restrictive.
Responding to the backlash, the Devaswom Board retracted the tender, announcing that pottukuthal would henceforth be provided free of charge. They also committed to ensuring that no such fees would be imposed in the future, and strict legal measures would be taken against anyone found charging pilgrims.
To further prevent exploitation and maintain the sanctity of the ritual, the Board has introduced new measures, including the installation of mirrors at strategic locations within the temple premises. These mirrors, accompanied by readily available Vibhuti, Sindoor, and Chandanam, will enable devotees to independently perform the ritual, thereby eliminating the need for intermediaries.
The court has also tasked the Board with rigorous supervision during the upcoming Makaravilakk festival and other significant temple events to ensure compliance and uphold the dignity of the pilgrim experience.
