Kerala High Court Halts Temple Fund Use for Ayyappa Sangam Travel

The Kerala High Court has paused the Malabar Devaswom Board's directive allowing shrine officials to use temple funds for attending the Global Ayyappa Sangam. The decision follows a lawsuit over expense management involving temple funds, highlighting financial strain on temples under the board's jurisdiction.

The Kerala High Court has issued an interim stay on the Malabar Devaswom Board's recent order authorizing the use of temple funds to cover travel and food expenses for officials attending the Global Ayyappa Sangam.

A bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar took this action following a petition filed by Ramachandran A V, a clerk at the Kinavoor Sri Kiratheswara Temple, challenging the Board's directive.

The petitioner argued that temple funds are meant for worship purposes and not external events, and highlighted the financial strain these expenses could place on already cash-strapped temples.

(With inputs from agencies.)