TDB Issues Strong Clarification, Rejects Media Reports on Global Ayyappa Sangamam
Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has strongly Rejected media reports about the audit findings of the recent Global Ayyappa Sangamam. The Board said the reports are “factually incorrect and baseless” and accused some media outlets of spreading false information about the event’s expenses.
The Global Ayyappa Sangamam was held on September 20, 2025, at Pamba as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the TDB. The Board manages many temples in Kerala, including the famous Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple.
In a statement, the TDB said that neither its audit report nor the report submitted by the Special Commissioner to the Kerala High Court mentioned any money being spent to buy a cot for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who attended the event. The Board expressed surprise over such claims.
It clarified that Rs 3,83,439 was allocated for “Furniture and Miscellaneous Items” for the existing office complex and guest house. The Board said any furniture purchased remains the property of the Devaswom and dismissed reports that Rs one lakh was spent to buy a cot for the Chief Minister as a misinterpretation.
The TDB also said that renovation works at the Pamba Guest House were wrongly shown in the media as special arrangements for the Chief Minister. According to the Board, the guest house is regularly used by Union Ministers and judges of higher courts.
Regarding the musical performance at the event, the Board explained that the group Nandagovindam Bhajans was first approached but could not attend due to prior commitments. Musician Ishaan Dev was later invited and led a performance with over 25 artistes and more than 10 technicians.
The audit report had mentioned payment to “Nandagovindam Bhajans”, but the Board said this was an error caused by incorrect information given by the event management agency. It clarified that the payment was actually made to Ishaan Dev.
The Board had appointed the Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction (IIIC) as the event management agency for the Sangamam. A total of Rs five crore was set aside in the 2025–26 budget under “Religious Convention & Discourse” and deposited in a special savings account at Dhanlaxmi Bank to avoid delays due to sponsorship funds.
Out of this amount, Rs three crore was given to IIIC as an advance. The Board also spent Rs 12,76,440 on hotel accommodation and Rs 15,25,424 towards GST. So far, Rs three crore in sponsorship has been received — Rs two crore (excluding GST) from Dhanlaxmi Bank and Rs one crore (including GST) from Kerala Bank. The TDB also said that the Adani Group had offered Rs one crore.
The Board rejected reports that money taken from the Devaswom fund had not been redeposited. It also denied allegations that food expenses on the final day were inflated. According to the TDB, food was served not only to invited guests but also to Ayyappa devotees visiting Sabarimala, daily wage workers, and dolly workers at Pamba. It claimed that more than double the expected number of people were served.
The TDB said the audit report was submitted within the time set by the Kerala High Court and that any discrepancies would be corrected after detailed verification. The matter will be discussed at a Board meeting scheduled for February 17.
The clarification from the TDB came two days after the Kerala High Court observed that there were several issues and serious inconsistencies in the audit report of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. The court has asked the TDB and the Kerala State Audit Department to provide explanations and clarifications.
The Board maintained that the Sangamam was not wasteful or unnecessary, but an important initiative to promote the glory of Sabarimala to a global audience.
Meanwhile, former TDB president P S Prasanth blamed the negligence of certain officials for the ongoing controversies surrounding the audit report of the Sangamam.
The Global Ayyappa Sangamam was conducted during Prasanth's tenure as it's president.
In a Facebook post, he said truth would eventually emerge in connection with the row surrounding the Ayyappa Sangamam and the alleged gold loss at Sabarimala Temple.
Various "exaggerated and fabricated stories" were being circulated daily in connection with the issues, he alleged.
According to him, the exemplary conduct of the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival over the past two years under the leadership of the Devaswom Board and the government was being overlooked amid the ongoing controversies.
"In the history of the Devaswom Board, has there been a Mandala season when lakhs of devotees arrived and returned fully satisfied?" he asked, adding that this was the most important aspect concerning the Sabarimala temple.
He stated in his Facebook post that until the facts are fully revealed, they have no choice but to endure the situation with sorrow.
CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan said the figures circulating in media about the Global Ayyappa Sangamam are false. He assured that the real accounts will be released and claimed there is nothing to hide, calling the current reports a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the government must present the official accounts. He termed the situation absurd and demanded strict action against those responsible for any irregularities.