PATHANAMTHITTA: Sabarimala, the famous hill shrine, is back in Kerala’s political spotlight. After the LDF government hosted the Global Ayyappa Sangamam in Pampa, BJP-backed Hindu groups announced a counter-event to rally support among devotees.
The Sabarimala Samrakshana Sangamam will open on Monday in Pandalam. Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai will inaugurate it. Other guests include Tejasvi Surya, former police chief T P Senkumar, Justice M R Hariharan Nair, and VHP state president Viji Thampi. Narayana Varma of the Pandalam royal family is also attending.
Hindu Aikyavedi, Ayyappa Seva Samajam, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad will participate. Hindu Aikyavedi spokesperson E S Biju said over 10,000 people are expected. Around 1,000 delegates will join a seminar on “Devotion, Development, and Safety at Sabarimala.”
Pandalam holds both political and religious importance for the BJP. The royal family’s softened stance and ongoing demands on temple traditions may affect turnout. Other groups, including Thantri Samajam and Yogakshema Sabha, will also attend. Analysts note that shifting loyalties make the event politically complex compared to 2018.
