Kerala High Court Mandates Panel System for Sabarimala Temple Assistants
The Kerala High Court has issued a significant directive to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) concerning the appointment of assistants at the revered Sabarimala temple. In a landmark ruling, the court has ordered the creation of a formal panel of qualified employees to serve as assistants to the melshanthis, kazhakam, and ulkazhakam, effectively overhauling the existing appointment practices.
Judicial Intervention in Temple Administration
A bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar delivered this directive while reviewing the report of the Sabarimala special commissioner. This report focused on the selection process for melshanthis at both the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples for the 2025-26 period. The court's intervention aims to introduce transparency and accountability into the temple's administrative framework.
Ending Discretionary Appointments
The High Court has explicitly instructed the TDB to discontinue the long-standing practice of allowing melshanthis, kazhakam, and ulkazhakam to engage assistants solely at their discretion. This move is designed to eliminate arbitrary or capricious appointments that have previously raised concerns about integrity and propriety within the temple's operations.
Rigorous Verification Protocols
To ensure the highest standards of conduct, the court has mandated that the TDB verify the credentials of all potential candidates through multiple channels. This includes thorough checks by the board's vigilance wing as well as the special branch. The directive emphasizes that only individuals with impeccable integrity and clean backgrounds should be included in the final panel, thereby safeguarding the temple's sanctity.
Background and Existing Practices
The issue came to light during earlier court proceedings when the High Court sought detailed information about how assistants to the melshanthi were appointed. It was revealed that assistants were traditionally engaged directly by the melshanthi to aid in performing duties and rituals at the Sannidhanam. According to proceedings dated December 19, 2025, the TDB had sanctioned specific numbers of assistants:
- 35 assistants for the melshanthi of the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
- 10 assistants for the Malikappuram melshanthi
- 10 persons for the Sabarimala ulkazhakam
- 6 persons for the Sabarimala kazhakam
Addressing Security Concerns
The court noted with concern that some individuals proposed by the melshanthis, ulkazhakam, and kazhakam had criminal antecedents. The existing system, which allowed appointments without proper verification of credentials, background, and antecedents, was deemed a serious risk, especially given the importance of the Sabarimala temple and the fact that many assistants serve without adequate remuneration. This lack of oversight could potentially compromise the temple's security and reputation.
Future Appointment Framework
In response to these findings, the High Court has established a new framework for all future engagements. The TDB is now required to prepare a comprehensive panel of qualified employees specifically for assistant roles. All subsequent appointments must be made exclusively from this pre-vetted panel, ensuring a standardized and transparent selection process.
Alternative Solutions Considered
Recognizing the need for flexibility, the court has also permitted the TDB to explore alternative arrangements. One such option is the possibility of appointing persons on deputation from other temples, which could provide experienced personnel while maintaining the integrity of the appointment process. This alternative approach underscores the court's commitment to practical solutions that uphold the temple's administrative standards.
This judicial directive marks a pivotal step towards modernizing the administrative practices at Sabarimala, balancing tradition with contemporary governance needs to preserve the temple's sanctity and operational efficiency.
