Concerns Over Commercialization of Pamba’s Sacredness Through Ayyappa Sangamam
The sanctity of Pamba is being lost through the Ayyappa Sangamam jointly organized by the Devaswom Board and the State Government.
Ordinary Ayyappa devotees reach Sabarimala at their own expense. But for the global Sangamam, devotees and their families are flown in with tickets sponsored by the Devaswom Board. Families have also been promised special arrangements for darshan at Sannidhanam.
Traditionally, devotees rest at night in makeshift tents at Pamba or Sannidhanam. In contrast, the government’s invitees will be accommodated in five-star hotels. To transport them from airports to luxury resorts and hotels, 35 air-conditioned KSRTC buses have been arranged, along with AC buses from Ramya Travels and vehicles from Panickers Travels. These buses will also bring them to Pamba for the Sangamam. Accommodation has been set up at resorts in Kumarakom, homestays in Erumely, Mundakkayam, and Angamoozhy, as well as five-star hotels in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam.
The Uralungal Labour Contract Society has been assigned the task of building the main pavilion. Forty young women have been appointed to welcome VIPs at Pamba and to serve drinking water and other refreshments during the Sangamam discussions. The catering contract has been awarded to a firm linked to senior CPM leaders in Thiruvananthapuram. Buffet arrangements are ready, though it is not yet decided whether non-vegetarian food will be served.
Ironically, while the Punyam Poonkavanam project enforces restrictions on plastic use, over 5,000 bottles of packaged drinking water are being arranged. Each international devotee will also receive an American trolley bag as a gift, filled with spices such as cardamom, cloves, and pepper. The suppliers already contracted to provide cardamom and dry ginger powder for the appam and aravana offerings will handle this responsibility.
From other states, if four individuals capable of donating crores are identified and brought to the Sangamam, they will be appointed as that state’s Sabarimala coordinator. The list must be submitted in advance to the Devaswom Board. These coordinators, along with the major donors, will enjoy VIP privileges at Sannidhanam and can also participate in meetings related to Sabarimala’s development projects.
Meanwhile, at Pamba, basic toilet facilities remain grossly inadequate. During the pilgrimage season, devotees suffer greatly due to poor sanitation. Existing toilets in the Devaswom buildings are only for staff, while those in police quarters are reserved for the forces. In contrast, modern temporary toilet facilities are now being arranged exclusively for the global Ayyappa devotees.