TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD
'Difficult to declare millions of beliefs wrong': SC hears PIL limits in Sabarimala case debate
The Supreme Court is examining the permissibility of public interest litigations concerning religious practices. A nine-judge bench is hearing cases on women's entry into religious sites like Sabarimala. The Travancore Devaswom Board argues PILs should not interpret religious customs. The court acknowledges the difficulty in declaring beliefs of millions as wrong. The hearing continues.
Courts can't sit in judgement in matters of religious belief of denomination: TDB to Supreme Court
The Travancore Devaswom Board told the Supreme Court of India that courts cannot judge religious beliefs, which must be determined by the faith of the community. The submission came during hearings led by Surya Kant on petitions related to religious freedom and women’s entry to the Sabarimala temple.
Kerala HC extends time for Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to complete probe in Sabarimala ghee sale scam
The Kerala High Court has granted the vigilance bureau an additional 30 days to investigate alleged misappropriation of funds from 'Adiya Sishtam Ghee' sales at Sabarimala. Nine more TDB staff are now suspected, and poor record-keeping has hampered the probe. The court emphasized a thorough investigation to fix individual accountability and ensure swift action.
War of words in Kerala assembly over Sabarimala gold row
Tensions escalated in the Kerala Assembly as the ruling LDF and opposition UDF clashed over the controversial Sabarimala gold loss. The UDF voiced their concerns over the arrest of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, sparking heated debates. In response, ministers defended their stance, emphasising the High Court's oversight of the investigation.
ED questions former TDB secretary in Sabarimala gold loss case
Former TDB secretary S Jayasree appeared before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning. This is part of a money laundering probe into the alleged loss of gold from Sabarimala temple artefacts. Jayasree, the fourth accused in the gold loss case, had previously received interim protection from the Supreme Court. The ED is investigating the replating of temple artefacts in 2019.
Sabarimala gold loss case: SIT questions UDF convenor Adoor Prakash
The Special Investigation Team is questioning UDF convener Adoor Prakash regarding the Sabarimala gold loss. Prakash arrived at the Crime Branch office after receiving a notice. Allegations arose after a photograph showed him with the prime accused. Prakash stated he knew the accused as a constituent and Ayyappa devotee. The SIT is investigating gold lost from idols and doorframes.
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BJP will fight for justice in Sabarimala issue: Nitin Nabin
BJP president Nitin Nabin has pledged to fight for justice regarding the gold lost from the Sabarimala shrine. He stated the party stands with the people of Kerala and is committed to the state's development. Nabin alleged that the ruling and opposition fronts are engaged in a fake fight over the issue, allowing accused individuals to obtain bail.

ED questions ex-TDB official in Sabarimala gold 'loss' case
The Enforcement Directorate is questioning a former Travancore Devaswom Board official regarding the Sabarimala gold loss. This investigation focuses on money laundering linked to alleged misappropriation of gold artefacts. Sacred gold-clad items were reportedly misrepresented as copper and removed for private processing.

Sabarimala gold misappropriation case: SIT questions actor Jayaram
Actor Jayaram was questioned by the SIT regarding alleged gold misappropriation from Sabarimala temple artefacts. The investigation focuses on his participation in pujas with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, and any financial dealings. This follows videos of Jayaram at a 2019 puja where temple artefacts were used for gold plating.

Sabarimala gold loss case: Kerala court grants bail to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty
A Kerala court granted bail to Bengaluru businessman Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold loss case. Potty, however, remains in jail due to a separate arrest in another gold theft case. He sought bail citing the SIT's failure to file a chargesheet within the stipulated 90 days.

Sabarimala case: ED raids 21 locations across 3 states over alleged misappropriation of temple gold
The Enforcement Directorate has searched 21 locations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. This action is part of a money laundering investigation. The probe concerns alleged theft of gold and temple assets from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board and private individuals are under scrutiny.

Kerala HC orders vigilance probe into siphoning off of ghee sale proceeds at Sabarimala
The Kerala High Court has ordered a vigilance probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds by Travancore Devaswom Board employees. This follows a report indicating that sale proceeds from 'Adiya Sishtam Ghee' at Sabarimala were not remitted. The court expressed shock at the scale of diversion within a short period.

Sabarimala gold loss case: SIT arrests chief priest
The chief priest of the Sabarimala temple, Kandararu Rajeevaru, has been arrested. This arrest is linked to the ongoing investigation into the loss of gold from the temple. Rajeevaru's alleged close association with the prime accused and his approval for replating temple plates formed the basis for the arrest.

SIT grills former Sabarimala administrative officer in gold missing case
Sabarimala temple's former administrative officer B Murari Babu has been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team probing missing gold. Babu, suspended by the Travancore Devaswom Board, is accused in cases involving the disappearance of gold from temple idols and door frames. He allegedly forwarded proposals for electroplating, claiming the gold-clad plates were copper.

Confident that it will ensure justice: BJP's V Muraleedharan after briefing President Murmu on Sabarimala gold theft case
A Kerala BJP delegation met President Droupadi Murmu regarding the Sabarimala gold theft. Senior leader V Muraleedharan stated the incidents deeply hurt devotees. The delegation presented a replica of the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple. BJP leaders demanded the resignation of the Devaswom Minister and dissolution of the Travancore Devaswom Board. An accused in the gold plating theft case was arrested.

Sabarimala Temple gets new 'melsanthi'
Prasad E D from Thrissur has been appointed as the new chief priest of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple ahead of the annual pilgrimage season. Manu Namboothiri M G will serve as the melsanthi for the Malikappuram shrine. The selections were made through a traditional draw conducted by children from the Pandalam royal family.

President Droupadi Murmu to visit Sabarimala temple on October 22
President Droupadi Murmu will visit the Sabarimala temple on October 22. This visit coincides with ongoing investigations into alleged theft of gold-plated copper plates. The Travancore Devaswom Board is seeking court permission for a comprehensive probe. Political parties are demanding a CBI investigation into the irregularities. The temple doors reopen for Thulamasa Pooja on October 17.

Special passes for Sabarimala devotees opting for forest route temporarily halted
The Travancore Devaswom Board paused issuing special passes for Sabarimala devotees using the forest route due to increased crowding. The move aims to reduce wait times for darshan at Pamba. Previously, 5,000 passes were available, but this number has spiked, prompting the suspension.

Over 22 lakh devotees in 29 days at Sabarimala, revenue up: Top official
Over 22 lakh Ayyappa devotees visited Sabarimala in 29 days till December 14, a significant increase from last year. The Travancore Devaswom Board reported a total revenue of Rs 163.89 crore, with substantial increases in Aravana sales and offerings. Improved facilities ensured smooth darshan for pilgrims.

Kerala government adopts divine route to fight climate change
The government of Kerala has implemented a project to improve the green cover and water resources of more than 3,000 temples managed by five Devaswom Boards under their control. Called 'Devankanam Charuharitham' or 'Beautiful Green Abodes of God', the project aims to plant trees and flowering plants in temple compounds to enhance green cover and make these places self-reliant.

COVID lockdown restrictions in Kerala force people to perform 'Bali Tharpanam' rituals at home
Restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus in Kerala forced people to offer "bali" to their ancestors by performing the rituals in their homes on the occasion of 'Karkitaka Vavu Bali' on Sunday. However, arrangements were done for the people to perform offerings for rituals like 'thilahomam' and 'pithruhomam' at many temples in the state on Sunday morning.

Travancore Devaswom Board to meet Friday to find amicable solution to Sabarimala row
Ahead of the meeting, the TDB, which administers the hill shrine, Thursday said it was ready for any sort of compromise to end the stand-off.

Travancore Devaswom Board invites stakeholders to discuss 'various aspects'
The Travancore Devaswom Board has invited tantries (temple priests), Pandalam royals and devotee groups to the meeting.

Appointment of non-Brahmin priests 'a silent revolution': LDF
"It is a silent revolution and a model for others to follow," Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran told reporters.

Travancore Devaswom Board says no ban on fireworks in temple festivals
The board has issued a circular to all temples under it, directing that the fireworks display be carried out only in compliance with rules and regulations.

Kerala supports in Supreme Court ban on women's entry at Sabrimala temple
The Kerala government has told the Supreme Court that banning entry of women of menstrual age in historic Sabarimala temple in the state

Kerala government to constitute Devaswom Recruitment Board
Kerala govt is planning to constitute a common recruitment board for the appointments in the devaswom Boards to unify the selection procedure.
Sabarimala nets Rs 178.53 crore in 2012-13
Pilgrims mainly throng the temple during the 'Mandala' and 'Makaravilakku' seasons stretching from mid-November to January 14.
Kerala high court seeks report on Sabari tragedy
A division bench of the high court has sought a report on the causes of the disaster, and has given time until January 20 to submit the same.
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