Kerala High Court Ends Sabarimala’s Punyam Poonkavanam Project: Know More
Punyam Poonkavanam Project at Sabarimala Scrapped by Kerala High Court Over Financial Irregularities
On February 28, 2025, the Kerala High Court issued a decisive ruling to terminate the Punyam Poonkavanam Project, a community policing initiative at the Sabarimala hill shrine, The order followed a police investigation that uncovered unauthorized fund collection by the project’s coordinator.
The Court expressed shock over the collection of funds from the devotees in the name of the project and ordered the State to stop the project.
It also directed the government to take necessary action based on the findings of the police report.
Background of Punyam Poonkavanam
Launched in 2011 under the leadership of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijayan, the Punyam Poonkavanam Project was a collaborative effort involving devotees, Kerala Police, and government departments. Its mission was to maintain cleanliness around Sabarimala’s sannidhanam, Pampa, and adjacent areas, aligning with the police’s bundobust scheme during the pilgrimage season. For over a decade, it stood as a testament to community-driven governance—until it faded from practice.
The Shift to Pavithram Sabarimala
The Punyam Poonkavanam Project has not been implemented for the last three years, having been gradually replaced by a newer initiative, Pavithram Sabarimala, introduced by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Unlike its predecessor’s police-led, community-focused model, Pavithram Sabarimala operates under the Devaswom Board’s direct oversight, prioritizing the shrine’s sanctity through a structured approach. This transition reflects a move toward centralized management of Sabarimala’s upkeep.
The Court’s Ruling
The Kerala High Court’s order to end Punyam Poonkavanam came after a preliminary police report revealed financial irregularities, notably unauthorized fund collection by its coordinator. Though the project had been inactive since around 2022,
The formal termination of Punyam Poonkavanam closes a chapter that had already lost relevance, affirming Pavithram Sabarimala’s role as the current standard-bearer for cleanliness at Sabarimala.
The Kerala High Court’s decision on February 28, 2025, to end the Punyam Poonkavanam Project, once spearheaded by IGP Vijayan, marks the official end of an era overshadowed by mismanagement. As Pavithram Sabarimala continues to shape the shrine’s future.