Kerala High Court Slams Authorities For Failing To Clear Pilgrims’ Clothes From Pampa River After Sabarimala Season
Kochi, January 27, 2026 — The Kerala High Court has sharply criticised authorities, especially the Travancore Devaswom Board, for failing to remove large quantities of discarded clothes and waste dumped in the Pampa River following the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, terming the situation “deplorable and disturbing.”
A Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar said photographs presented in court reveal “large heaps of discarded clothes and other waste materials… emanating foul stench, contaminating the water, endangering aquatic life, and posing serious public health hazards.” The judges highlighted administrative apathy and disregard for earlier judicial directions to clean the river.
The court noted that it had earlier closed a suo motu petition after being assured clean-up efforts were underway, but later evidence showed that the dumped clothes remained untouched. The bench stressed that the river, considered sacred by millions, should be allowed to recuperate and regenerate between pilgrimage seasons rather than deteriorate further.
In response, the court impleaded additional authorities — including the Executive Director of Suchitwa Mission, the State Pollution Control Board and Ranni Perunad Grama Panchayat — to conduct a joint inspection of the affected river stretches with Devaswom Board officials. They must assess the pollution’s extent, recommend corrective actions, and file detailed compliance reports.
Importantly, the court made it clear that the Travancore Devaswom Board must ensure that the dumped clothes are removed lawfully and in an environmentally sustainable manner, reinforcing judicial insistence on protecting the ecological integrity of the Pampa.
Background: The Pampa River, a key waterway near Sabarimala in Kerala, has repeatedly faced pollution challenges due to the practice of devotees discarding clothes after ritual bathing — a trend the court has previously urged authorities to counter through awareness campaigns and strict measures.