The court also notes that the monetary value of certain items, such aravana, appam, vibhuti, kumkum and sandalwood, given to devotees and participants at the event has not been accounted for in the book of accounts.
| Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) noted that there were several issues and “serious inconsistencies” in the audit report of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam held last year and directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to explain the reasons for the same.
A Bench of justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar also noted that the monetary value of certain items, such aravana, appam, vibhuti, kumkum and sandalwood, given to devotees and participants at the event has not been accounted for in the book of accounts.
The court directed that the relevant inputs be obtained from the Kerala State Audit and the TDB so that appropriate orders can be issued. The court listed the matter on February 27.
The audit report was placed before the court as directed by it while dismissing the petitions challenging the Global Ayyappa Sangamam.
After perusing the report, the Bench said it highlighted various issues such as execution of the work being given to the Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction (IIIC) without a tender or bidding process on an expenditure plus 10% facilitation or administrative charge.
As per the report, there were also “serious inconsistencies” in the computation of the estimated bill of quantity with regard to wooden frame centre tables, food serving charges in VIP areas and cost plus expenditure, the Bench noted. “There are also issues with regard to GST input credit as well,” the court said.
The observations and directions of the Bench came on a plea initiated by the court on its own based on the audit report.
Published – February 11, 2026 01:22 pm IST
