Overview
- President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at Sabarimala during her Kerala tour, tying the irumudikettu, climbing the 18 steps, and visiting the Vavar mosque.
- Her Indian Air Force helicopter’s wheels sank into wet concrete at a hastily readied Pramadom helipad, and police and fire personnel pushed the aircraft free.
- A Rashtrapati Bhavan post showing the Malikappuram Devi sanctum and idol was removed after criticism, and a local police officer publicly objected.
- Travancore Devaswom Board sources said the image violated temple tradition by revealing the deity’s face, though the board president reported no official complaint.
- Local groups differed on whether VVIP movement inconvenienced pilgrims or breached access norms, and a separate High Court-ordered probe into alleged temple gold theft continues.