With just days left for the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has landed in controversy after the Kerala High Court was informed that gold-plated coverings of the ‘dwarapalaka idols’ at Sabarimala were removed and transported to Chennai for restoration without the court’s mandatory permission.

The matter came to light when Sabarimala special commissioner R Jayakrishnan reported to the court that he had received information on September 8 regarding the removal of the gold coverings. Upon verification with the TDB vigilance wing, it was confirmed that the ornaments had indeed been detached and sent out. He highlighted that such actions violate established norms, as temple maintenance of this scale usually requires explicit clearance from the High Court and is typically undertaken within the temple premises itself.

Jayakrishnan urged the court to issue firm directions, instructing the TDB not to proceed with major maintenance activities at Sannidhanam or Malikappuram without prior approval, emphasizing the need to safeguard both transparency and traditions.

In response, TDB president P S Prasanth defended the decision, asserting that there had been no procedural lapse. According to him, the restoration had received the sanction of both the temple tantri and the TDB. The gold-plated copper sheets were refurbished in Chennai under a sponsor-funded arrangement and have been given a 15-year warranty. He further pointed out that the transfer was carried out with maximum security, involving senior officials including the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, Sabarimala Administrative Officer, temple smith, and vigilance officers.

Prasanth dismissed the uproar as politically motivated, claiming that vested interests were attempting to create unnecessary controversy to undermine the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, which the TDB is preparing to host as a flagship religious event.