Virtual Queue Glitch Triggers Row Before Global Ayyappa Sangamam

Quick Summary

• The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) plans to host the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pampa on September 20 amidst monthly pujas at the Sabarimala hill shrine.
• Allegations arose suggesting TDB attempted to regulate virtual queue slot bookings for darshan and room bookings at Sannidhanam during September 19 and 20.
• Devotees reported technical glitches while booking slots through the website, coinciding with efforts to accommodate guests attending the Sangamam.
• The TDB refuted accusations, stating that a minor technical issue caused disruptions in virtual queue bookings but was promptly resolved.
• Monthly pujas at Sabarimala will occur from September 16 evening to September 21.

Indian Opinion Analysis
Disruptions in booking systems for an event as widely attended as the monthly pujas at Sabarimala can understandably lead to intense scrutiny.While such technical glitches are common, timing matters; their concurrence with preparations for a large-scale cultural gathering like the Global Ayyappa Sangamam amplifies public concern and fuels speculation about preferential treatment. Given that TDB has clarified this was due to temporary technical issues, obvious dialog regarding access protocols could mitigate future misunderstandings. Efficiently balancing religious observances with high-profile events will remain crucial for avoiding controversies of this nature in one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites.

Read more: Published – September 11, 2025