The inauguration ceremony of the Annadhanam hall, located on the first floor of the Ayyappa devotees’ rest house, was held today at the Suchindram Ashram in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, on behalf of the Akhil Bharath Ayyappa Seva Sangam.
Ayyappa Seva Sangam state president Vishwanathan hoisted the flag. An Ayyappa puja was held under the leadership of Thangapandian Swamigal. District president Madhusudhanaperumal presided.
The Annadhanam hall was inaugurated by Kerala Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan.
Speaking at this event, Kanyakumari constituency MLA Thalavai Sundaram, who presided over the function, said, "I would like to make a request to Kerala Minister Muraleedharan. The Akhil Bharath Ayyappa Seva Sangh was started even before independence. Every year, during the Mandala and Makaravilakku season from November to January, more than 4,000 to 5,000 volunteers engage in service activities here.
In particular, we have been providing annadhanam in 9 districts in Tamil Nadu. Annadhanam was also being provided at the Ayyappa Swamy temple. Last year, there were obstacles and difficulties in providing annadhanam.
What happened in the state of Kerala came as a great surprise to me. Therefore, at least on a temporary basis, permission should be granted to serve devotees at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy Temple through the Tamil Nadu Ayyappa Seva Sangam and the Akhil Bharath Ayyappa Seva Sangam.
Annadhanam is a gift from God. We should be given the opportunity to carry out annadhanam in the best possible manner. At the very least, this should be allowed on a temporary basis. You are currently serving as the minister in charge of two important departments, Health and Devaswom. Health is also very important for the public. At the same time, the Devaswom Board is also very important," he said.

Speaking at the event, Kerala Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan said, "This is the first event I am attending outside Kerala after taking charge as minister. As an Ayyappa devotee, I feel deeply satisfied to come here and inaugurate the annadhanam hall. I have been continuously visiting Sabarimala without any interruption since 1975.
Even during the coronavirus pandemic, by the grace of Swami, my journey continued without interruption. We have also gone to the food distribution centers of the Ayyappa Seva Sangam in Sabarimala and Pamba and eaten there. But a few years ago, during the previous government’s tenure, some unnecessary controversies were stirred up regarding this Seva Sangam.
You were not responsible for that. With the support of some members of the ruling party at the time, they formed a rival organization. They also approached the High Court.
Except for the High Court and the Devaswom Board, an order was issued prohibiting others from providing annadanam at Sabarimala. You have been serving there for many years since 1945. You have provided free food to devotees. You have carried out countless services. You have also arranged ambulance facilities and medical facilities there.
The government in Kerala has changed. But since the Devaswom Board is a statutory body, the old Devaswom Board is still continuing. We cannot replace or dissolve them. Even now, they continue to pursue their old policies.
Moreover, the Devaswom Board chairman does not belong to any political party; he is a retired Chief Secretary of the government. On the government side, a meeting will be held on the 17th at Pampa, under the leadership of Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, to review this year’s worship-related activities. Your request will also be discussed there.
But the government should file a review petition in the High Court. Because it is the High Court that has always been controlling all the activities of Sabarimala. Even in the case related to the Sabarimala gold theft, the Special Investigation Team has not yet submitted its report. As a result, the offenders who committed the wrongdoing get time to defend themselves.
That is where the problem lies. Nevertheless, we will appoint a new lawyer for the Devaswom Board, approach the High Court, and file an affidavit stating, “We have no objection to the Ayyappa Seva Sangham serving there.” I believe the Devaswom Board will not object to this either.
Since your services are not there now, a lot of additional funds are being wasted unnecessarily there. You served there for free. The Devaswom Board, on the other hand, appoints people only to serve in return for payment. That is where the problem lies.In any case, I will certainly make every possible effort to help you as an Ayyappa devotee.

This year’s Mandala season will begin on November 17 and continue until the third week of January. I assure you that the government will properly review all the works at Sabarimala and take continuous action. The Chief Minister is also a devotee of Lord Ayyappa. After many years, a state Chief Minister is visiting Sabarimala this year as an Ayyappa devotee.
Even when he was the Leader of the Opposition, he remained a devotee who regularly visited Sabarimala. He has said that on the 17th of this month as well, he will go to Sabarimala after the meeting at Pamba. Therefore, we will certainly respect the sentiments of the devotees and fulfill your wishes.
Most of the devotees who come to Sabarimala are not only from Kerala, but also from Tamil Nadu and other states such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Devaswom Board’s revenue also does not come only from Kerala; a large share comes from devotees from outside the state as well.
“During this Mandala and Makaravilakku season, we can bring immense satisfaction to devotees,” he said.
