Overview
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Global Ayyappa Sangamam and outlined phased works for Sannidhanam, Pampa and the trek routes through 2039, plus ₹314.96 crore earmarked for 2025–2030 upgrades.
- Organisers cited 4,126 registrations including out-of-state and overseas delegates, while media estimated about 3,000–3,500 attendees; Tamil Nadu sent two ministers and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sent greetings.
- Congress and the BJP boycotted, labeling the event political and demanding withdrawal of 2018 protest cases and the state’s Supreme Court affidavit supporting entry of young women.
- Officials highlighted concept-level connectivity proposals linked to the plan, including a proposed international airport, a railway project and a roughly 3 km ropeway between Pampa and the temple, with early-stage work described.
- Sangh Parivar–aligned organisations are staging a Sabarimala Samrakshana/Protection Sangamam in Pandalam on September 22, with K. Annamalai set to inaugurate and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya scheduled to speak.