The Global Ayyappa Sangamam, a significant gathering dedicated to Lord Ayyappa devotees, is all set to commence this Saturday in Pampa. The primary goal of this unique conclave is to strategize and discuss how to transform the revered Sabarimala temple into a leading global pilgrimage destination.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan announced that the event’s estimated cost is ₹7 crore, which will be entirely covered through generous sponsorships. He highlighted that this ensures no financial burden on the state while promoting a crucial spiritual initiative.
The Minister confirmed a diverse list of prominent participants, including M. Sangeeth Kumar, Vice-President of the Nair Service Society, and Vellappally Natesan, General Secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam. Also expected are Sabarimala tantri Mahesh Mohanaru and Pandalam Palace secretary M.R. Suresh Varma, among other respected figures. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially open the conclave, which will also see the attendance of two Ministers representing the Government of Tamil Nadu. While invitations have been extended to Union government representatives, their confirmation is still pending.
Minister Vasavan emphasized the pioneering nature of this event, stating, “This conclave provides an unprecedented platform for Lord Ayyappa’s devotees to contribute their insights and ideas towards the holistic development of the Sabarimala temple. These invaluable suggestions, after expert review, will form the cornerstone of a comprehensive development policy for this sacred hill shrine.”
From over 5,000 registrations, 3,500 participants have been meticulously shortlisted to attend. The discussions will be organized into three concurrent sessions. The first session will delve into the ambitious Sabarimala master plan, which outlines development projects totaling more than ₹1,000 crore. The second session is dedicated to enhancing pilgrimage tourism, while the third will focus on effective crowd management strategies. The master plan itself will be presented during the conclave, with further sponsorship support anticipated for its successful implementation.
The overarching vision for the Sangamam is to elevate Sabarimala’s status as a global pilgrimage hub. The Minister underscored this potential, remarking, “The sheer number of devotees—approximately 5.16 million—who visited during the previous pilgrimage season alone, and the consistent large turnouts during monthly puja periods, clearly demonstrate Sabarimala’s immense capacity to become a world-renowned spiritual center.”
Beyond garnering support from Ayyappa devotees and attracting investments for critical infrastructure, the event also aims to establish a global database of devotees. This database will be instrumental in creating a seamless platform to assist their travel, return journeys, and access to dedicated help desks. A key objective remains to nurture pilgrimage tourism while meticulously preserving the shrine’s ancient traditions and sacred customs.
Extensive logistical arrangements are in place, including accommodation for participants and robust transport services, featuring 25 low-floor buses provided by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. To ensure the safety and smooth execution of the event, nearly 1,000 police personnel have been deployed in the vicinity.
However, despite the Minister’s assurances, a degree of uncertainty persists regarding the participation of the Pandalam Palace representatives. The State government has yet to address several crucial demands put forth by the palace as a prerequisite for their attendance.