The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to continue the conduct of the ‘annadanam’ for Sabarimala pilgrims in the ‘annadana mandapam’. The High Court also held that the board should ensure the participation of NGOs for the smooth conduct of the ‘annadanam’ proceedings.
A Division Bench comprising Justice T R Ramachandran Nair and Justice B Kemal Pasha issued the order when the report by the Special Commissioner came up for hearing. The report suggested that the TDB may be directed to run round-the-clock ‘annadanam’ centres at Pampa and Sannidhanam throughout the season, without giving its own annadanam centres to any other agencies.
The TDB submitted that it is conducting the ‘annadanam’ at the mandapam and added that requests have been received from devotees and NGOs for conducting ‘annadanam’ at various centres. But, request has not been received to conduct ‘annadanam’ at Pampa, the TDB submitted before the court.