Controversy erupts over photo of President’s visit to Sabarimala

A day after President Droupadi Murmu visited the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple on Wednesday (October 22, 2025), a controversy has erupted over an alleged violation of temple protocol after the Rashtrapati Bhavan posted a photo of her praying at the Malikappuram Devi temple.

The image, shared on the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s social media account, showed the interior of the sanctum sanctorum as well as the idol. It immediately drew criticism for revealing a sacred space not meant for public display. Following the backlash, the Rashtrapati Bhavan deleted the post later in the day.

But even after its removal, the issue snowballed into a social media debate, with many defending or opposing the photo. The controversy intensified when a Deputy Superintendent of Police posted a WhatsApp status criticising the Rashtrapati Bhavan for “breaking traditions,” while also remarking that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress remained silent on the issue.

‘A violation’

Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) sources confirmed that the photo amounted to a violation of traditional protocol, as the image appeared to show the deity’s face. “Further, if you look at the visit in the light of an earlier High Court order not to inconvenience devotees, the VVIP’s arrival caused a significant disruption to the pilgrimage on October 21 and 22,” they noted.

When contacted, TDB president P.S. Prasanth said no such issue had officially come to his notice. “It is not correct to say that the pilgrimage was disrupted. Devotees were allowed to visit the hill temple on Wednesday soon after the President’s departure,” he said.

Meanwhile, Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sanghom general secretary D. Vijayakumar expressed concern over the way the President was taken to the hillock by motorcade. “But since all this was done with the permission of the High Court, there is no room for a complaint,” he pointed out.

‘No laid-down protocols‘

However, S.J.R. Kumar, general convener of the Sabarimala Karma Samiti, maintained there was nothing wrong in using a vehicle. “There are no laid-down protocols on how a devotee should climb the hill. Such protocols are applicable only from the 18 holy steps that lead to the temple. Vehicles, including tractors and ambulances, have long been used between Pampa and the Sannidhanam. It was only after a High Court intervention that restrictions were imposed and not due to any temple custom,” he explained.