The Sabarimala Special Commissioner on Wednesday submitted a report to the Kerala High Court on alleged financial irregularities involving casual labourers and permanent duty staff during the recent pilgrimage season.

The report examines financial activity linked to the temple between November 17, 2025, and December 31, 2025. It covers banking transactions, money orders and the handling of offerings and other funds during the busy pilgrimage period.

The findings were presented as part of an inquiry ordered earlier by the High Court into suspected irregular transactions during the season.

Bank, post office transactions during pilgrimage period

According to the report, the State Bank of India branch at Sabarimala recorded transactions worth ₹8.08 crore during the pilgrimage season.

A total of 1,667 transactions were carried out through the branch. These involved devotees, hotel owners, shanthis (priests) and keezhshanthis (assistant priests).

The report also recorded large transactions at Dhanlaxmi Bank during the same period.

A total of 941 transactions amounting to ₹11.45 crore were carried out across 18 accounts. These accounts belonged to shanthis, assistant priests, daily wage workers and Kuthakapattom holders. (Kuthakapattom refers to a temporary lease of temple or government land, usually given for a fixed fee for limited use)

Post office branches linked to the pilgrimage recorded money orders totalling ₹14.08 lakh during the period under review.

Irregularities

It is said that some individuals were involved in irregularities connected to the sale of ghee used for rituals.

Officials found instances where cash and coins — including donations brought by pilgrims along with puja items — were allegedly misappropriated by staff without security oversight.

There were cases where money was collected from devotees under the pretext of helping them during rituals such as neyyabhishekam.

According to the findings, money that spilled while temple hundis were opened was reportedly taken by certain individuals.

Some staff members were also found to be running lottery sales alongside their temple duties. The report also flagged excess recruitment of daily wage workers during the pilgrimage season.

Recommendations and High Court directions

The Special Commissioner recommended deploying police personnel during the opening of temple hundis and during monthly rituals to prevent misuse.

The Devaswom Bench of the Kerala High Court directed the Devaswom Board to inform the court of its stand on the matter.

The High Court had earlier ordered a detailed inquiry into suspected irregular transactions by staff on duty during the Sabarimala Mandalam and Makara Vilakku periods. The latest findings have emerged as part of that inquiry.