President Droupadi Murmu to Visit Sabarimala in October, Says Devaswom Minister
Pathanamthitta, Sept. 20, 2025: President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the revered Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple next month, Kerala Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan announced during the closing ceremony of the Global Ayyappa Sangam.
The visit is expected to take place on the final day of the Thulam monthly pujas, beginning on October 16. A planned visit in May was cancelled because of tensions on the India–Pakistan border.
Mr. Vasavan also announced the formation of an 18-member implementation committee to follow up on the recommendations of the Sangam. The committee will be chaired by the Devaswom Minister with the Devaswom Board President serving as convener.
Sabarimala as a Spiritual Tourism Hub
A central theme of the Sangam was the transformation of Sabarimala into a comprehensive spiritual tourism circuit. Former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair, who moderated the discussions, said the proposals focused on strengthening infrastructure and ensuring a smoother pilgrimage experience. These suggestions will be forwarded to the State government and the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Tourism Secretary K. Biju underscored the scope for local job creation through homestays, guide services, and responsible tourism. He suggested exploring a ropeway project with the support of the National Highway Logistics Management Limited, while advocating for eco-friendly pilgrim facilities.
K.N. Madhusudhanan, Chairman of Dhanalakshmi Bank, highlighted the importance of inter-departmental coordination for timely execution of projects. He also called for expanding government-approved vegetarian restaurants across Kerala to cater to the growing influx of pilgrims.
S. Swaminathan, Secretary of Kerala Travel Mart, pressed for a pilgrimage tourism circuit linking Sabarimala with associated temples, cultural centres, and eco-tourism hubs, while safeguarding the environment.
Preparing for the Future
Speakers also stressed the need to future-proof the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Suggestions included using artificial intelligence for queue management, parking control, and congestion reduction, while investing in transportation and sanitation upgrades to meet rising pilgrim demand.
The role of new media in educating youth about Sabarimala’s cultural and spiritual importance was also emphasised, particularly in reaching North Indian states.
Concluding the deliberations, Travancore Devaswom Board member A. Ajikumar said the positive response to the Sangam reflected a shared commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience. “All demands and suggestions will be submitted to the government. We expect fruitful outcomes from these deliberations,” he said.