An audit report detailing alleged financial irregularities in the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Sabarimala has come into media focus following intervention by the Kerala High Court. On Wednesday, the court sought an explanation from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) after details of the report — relating to the September 2025 event came out.

The event, jointly organised by the state government and the TDB at Sabarimala, is reported to have cost ₹10.99 crore. The audit raises questions over budgeting, documentation and transparency in the conduct of the programme.

Funding gaps, overspending and missing records

The audit states that ₹5 crore was drawn from the Devaswom Board’s general fund, of which ₹3 crore has been repaid. Sponsorship contributions amounting to ₹2.64 crore, along with ₹2 crore from the Devaswom fund and bank interest, make up ₹6.64 crore settled so far. A balance of ₹4.35 crore is yet to be cleared.

According to the report, several expenses exceeded approved budget limits. Bills for Ayyappa idols distributed as gifts are described as incomplete, while many purchases allegedly lack supporting documents. Auditors have flagged that the absence of GST bills and proper vouchers could expose the board to financial loss and prevent accurate finalisation of accounts.

Contracts, exemptions and disputed purchases

A major concern highlighted is the awarding of contracts without tenders. The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society was given a contract without a tender process, with a provision allowing a 10% surcharge. The report further notes that pandal construction and related works were handed over at an additional cost to an event management firm linked to ULCCS.

The audit also lists several questionable purchases. Items worth ₹1 lakh — including a cot and mattress for the Chief Minister — were bought at Pampa a day before the event inauguration and are now stored at the Devaswom maintenance office. A 4,000-litre water tank with taps reportedly cost ₹4.8 lakh, but does not appear in the assets register. Of 150 mattress said to have been purchased, bills for 50 are missing; these mats were handed to a police rest centre and remain there after the event.

Key expenditures

  • Taxi charges — ₹10.57 lakh
  • Eight-foot security fence — ₹3.24 lakh
  • VIP meals — ₹30,000
  • Breakfast for 4,000 people — ₹4.2 lakh
  • 11am tea and snacks for 5,000 people — ₹2 lakh
  • Lunch for 5,000 people — ₹8.5 lakh
  • Evening tea for 5,000 people — ₹2 lakh
  • Dinner for 3,000 people — ₹4.5 lakh
  • Diesel — ₹7.44 lakh

The report also notes absence of GST bills in some accounts, undocumented subcontracts, and additional 10% handling charges granted to contractors.

Political reactions and court-linked findings

In the report submitted to the High Court, the Special Commissioner of the TDB pointed to what were described as grave organisational lapses. The event, it said, was conducted in violation of court orders and without financial transparency. Subcontracts were allegedly not produced for audit, decorative works initially estimated at ₹2 lakh reportedly rose to ₹8 lakh, and sponsorship revenue of ₹2 crore remains unclear.

Veteran Congress legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said:

"We were informed that expenses for the Global Ayyappa Meet would be met through sponsorships, but now what has come out is totally different. On the floor of the Assembly, it was pointed out that the money spent from the TDB funds has been returned using the sponsorship money, but this report says it has not happened," he said.

CWC member and senior legislator Ramesh Chennithala added:

"The expected turnout for the meet was very little, but expenses show there was a huge attendance. If a proper probe is not done, we will ensure that it’s done, and responsibilities will be fixed," he asserted.

The audit report has given fresh ammunition to critics of the government, which is already facing allegations linked to the Sabarimala gold theft case.