Corruption Deep-Rooted in Sabarimala Administration; Urgent Reforms Needed: TDB Chief Jayakumar
President of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), K. Jayakumar, has criticised the current management of Sabarimala, describing it as “highly unprofessional” and affected by deep-rooted corruption.
In an interview with ETV Bharat media, Jayakumar said the issues at the hill shrine are administrative rather than political, and pledged to streamline the system.
Jayakumar, a former Devaswom Commissioner, said he has closely observed the functioning of Sabarimala for decades. According to him, a particular group has long treated the temple of Lord Ayyappa as a “gold mine” and attempted to make illegal profits. He alleged that corruption has spread across multiple levels of administration, with some individuals considering it their entitlement to exploit the temple’s substantial income.
As TDB President, he said he is committed to eliminating corruption and ensuring transparency in administration. Speaking about the chaos during the peak pilgrimage season, Jayakumar noted that despite crores of devotees visiting every year, planning continues to remain weak and unprofessional. He pointed out that even the Kerala High Court has repeatedly expressed concern over management lapses, yet significant improvement has not been seen so far.
“To address this, the TDB has begun early preparations for the next pilgrimage season. The Board conducted its first planning meeting for the coming year on February 6 to avoid last-minute arrangements,” Jayakumar said.
He added that the focus will shift towards year-round planning instead of crisis management. “One of the key proposals is to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based crowd management systems, similar to those used during the Kumbh Mela,” he said. According to him, the system will provide devotees with information on waiting times and expected darshan schedules, helping reduce confusion and anxiety in long queues.
Jayakumar also announced measures to improve basic facilities along the trekking route. The Board plans to provide drinking water, refreshments, and toilet facilities at regular intervals, along with developing resting facilities at Sannidhanam for more than 20,000 devotees. An infrastructure audit will also be carried out to renovate ageing buildings.
He highlighted that over 50 per cent of Sabarimala’s revenue comes from devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, many of whom face language barriers. The Board plans to appoint trained staff capable of communicating in major South Indian languages to make pilgrims feel more comfortable.
In a major policy decision, Jayakumar said, “The temple will no longer accept random private sponsorships. If required, only reputed, tax-paying companies will be invited through official advertisements.” Referring to recent controversies, including the arrest of a Tantri, he described it as a “divine signal” for reform and said strict action has already begun against malpractices such as the unauthorised sale of sanctified ghee.