Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to take immediate steps to ban the sale of chemical kumkum at Sabarimala, citing concerns over environmental degradation during the annual pilgrimage season, all set to begin on November 17.

A division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar issued the directive while hearing a suo motu case based on a report by the Special Commissioner on facilities for pilgrims at ‘edathavalams’ (resting places) during the Mandalam–Makaravilakku season of 2025–26.

The court noted that its earlier order on October 16 had directed the TDB, the Indian Railways, and the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kottayam, to maintain hygiene, sanitation, food, and drinking water facilities at these resting centre

See Full Page