Indian Kanoon - Search engine for Indian Law

Kerala High Court

V. Shyamohan vs State Of Kerala on 13 November, 2025

                                                       ​2025:KER:86782​
​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​              ​:​1​:​




               IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM​
               ​
                                     PRESENT​
                                     ​
          THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V​
          ​
                                         &​
                                         ​
              THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K. V. JAYAKUMAR​
              ​
                 TH​
                 ​
 THURSDAY, THE 13​
 ​                   DAY OF NOVEMBER 2025 / 22ND KARTHIKA,​​
                     ​                                     1947​


                            WP(C) NO. 41785 OF 2025​
                            ​

PETITIONER:​
​

              ​. SHYAMOHAN​
              V
              AGED 42 YEARS​
              ​
              S/O VELAYUDHAN NAIR, HAVING ADDRESS AT C-84, GOLF VIEW​
              ​
              APARTMENTS, SAKET, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110017​
              ​


              ​Y ADVS.​
              B
              SRI.MATHEW A KUZHALANADAN​
              ​
              SHRI.KURIAKOSE VARGHESE​
              ​
              SMT.SRADHAXNA MUDRIKA​
              ​
              SHRI.NABEEL B.A.​
              ​
              SHRI.CHERIYIL SANIL JOHN​
              ​



RESPONDENTS:​

​ 1​ ​ ​TATE OF KERALA​ S REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,​ ​ REVENUE (DEVASWOM) DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,​ ​ PIN - 695001​ ​ 2​ ​ ​HE DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF,​ T OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF,​ ​ PATHANAMTHITTA, PIN - 689645​ ​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​2​:​ 3​ ​ ​RAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD​ T REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS,​ ​ NANDANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003​ ​ 4​ ​ ​RINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS​ P

4. OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS,​ ​ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695014​ ​ 5​ ​ ​HE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER​ T (APPOINTED BY THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF KERALA)​ ​ SABARIMALA TEMPLE COMPLEX, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT,​ ​ KERALA, PIN - 689645​ ​ 6​ ​ ​HE EXECUTIVE OFFICER,​ T SABARIMALA, PAMPA TRIVENI P.O, PATHANAMTHITTA,​ ​ PIN - 689670​ ​ OTHER PRESENT:​ ​ ​RI.S.RAJMOHAN, SR. GP​ S SRI. G. BIJU, SC TDB.​ ​ THIS​ ​ ​ WRIT​ ​ PETITION​ ​ (CIVIL)​ ​ HAVING​ ​ COME​ ​ UP​ ​ FOR​ ​ FINAL​ ​EARING​​ H ON​​13.11.2025,​​ THE​​COURT​​ ON​​ THE​​ SAME​​ DAY​​ DELIVERED​​THE​ FOLLOWING:​ ​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​3​:​ ​"CR"​ ​J U D G M E N T​ ​Raja Vijayaraghavan V., J.​ ​The​ ​petitioner,​ ​a​ ​lawyer​ ​and​ ​devoted​ ​follower​ ​of​ ​Lord​ ​Ayyappa,​ ​complains​ ​that​ ​although​ ​he​ ​has​ ​secured​ ​a​ ​Virtual​ ​Queue​ ​(e-pass)​ ​for​ ​darshan​ ​at​ ​Sabarimala​ ​on​ ​17.11.2025,​ ​there​ ​has​ ​been​ ​no​ ​proper​ ​public​ ​notification​​regarding​​the​​opening​​of​​the​​Traditional​​Route​​(Kanana​​Patha)​ ​from​ ​Erumeli​ ​to​ ​Sannidhanam.​ ​He​ ​states​ ​that​ ​authorities​ ​have​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​the​ ​route​ ​will​ ​be​ ​opened​ ​only​ ​on​ ​17.11.2025,​ ​which​ ​would​ ​make​ ​it​ ​impossible​​for​​him​​and​​other​​pilgrims​​holding​​e-passes​​for​​the​​same​​day​​to​ ​undertake​ ​the​ ​customary​ ​forest​ ​trek.​ ​He​ ​contends​ ​that​​unless​​the​​path​​is​ ​opened​ ​by​ ​at​ ​least​ ​15.11.2025,​ ​devotees​ ​like​ ​him​ ​will​ ​be​ ​forced​ ​to​ ​abandon​ ​the​ ​pilgrimage.​ ​The​ ​petitioner​ ​also​ ​highlights​ ​the​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​timely​ ​and​ ​transparent​ ​communication​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Travancore​ ​Devaswom​ ​Board​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Forest​ ​Department,​ ​noting​ ​that​ ​the​​official​​portal​​does​​not​ ​clearly​ ​notify​ ​the​ ​date​ ​of​ ​opening​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Kanana​ ​Patha,​ ​causing​ ​hardship​ ​and​ ​frustrating​ ​the​ ​legitimate​ ​expectations​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​who​ ​prepare​ ​rigorously​ ​for​ ​the​ ​traditional​ ​journey.​ ​It​​is​​in​​the​​above​​backdrop​​that​​this​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​4​:​ ​writ petition has been filed seeking the following reliefs:​ ​(i)​ ​To​ ​issue​ ​a​ ​writ,​ ​order,​ ​or​ ​direction​ ​directing​​the​​respondents​ ​not​ ​to​ ​cause​ ​any​ ​hindrance​ ​to​ ​the​ ​petitioner​ ​and​ ​other​ ​pilgrims​ ​undertaking​ ​the​ ​Sabarimala​ ​pilgrimage​ ​through​ ​the​ ​Traditional​ ​Route​ ​(Erumeli-Sabarimala​ ​Route)​ ​from​ ​15.11.2025,​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​Sannidhanam​ ​when​ ​the​ ​temple​ ​opens for the Mandala season of 2025;​ ​(ii)​ ​To​​issue​​a​​writ,​​order,​​or​​direction​​restraining​​the​​respondents​ ​from​ ​placing​ ​unreasonable​ ​restrictions​ ​that​ ​may​ ​hinder​ ​the​ ​peaceful​​pilgrimage​​of​​devotees​​through​​the​​Traditional​​Route​ ​(Erumeli-Sannidhanam)​ ​in​ ​a​ ​manner​ ​undermining​​their​​right​ ​to freely practice their faith and beliefs;​ ​(iii)​ ​To​ ​issue​ ​directions​ ​to​ ​the​ ​respondents​ ​to​ ​publish,​ ​at​ ​least​ ​thirty​ ​days​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​commencement​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Mandala-Makaravilakku​ ​season,​ ​official​ ​notifications​ ​and​ ​circulars​ ​detailing​ ​the​ ​schedule​​of​​opening​​of​​the​​Sabarimala​ ​Temple and the Erumeli-Sabarimala Route;​ ​(iv)​​To​​ensure​​strict​​compliance​​with​​the​​directions​​of​​this​​Hon'ble​ ​Court in SSCR No. 79 of 2024.​ ​2.​ ​The​ ​petitioner​ ​has​ ​also​ ​sought​ ​interim​ ​relief​ ​interdicting​ ​the​ ​respondents​ ​from​ ​imposing​ ​unreasonable​ ​restrictions​ ​that​ ​may​ ​hinder​ ​or​ ​disrupt​ ​the​ ​peaceful​ ​pilgrimage​ ​of​ ​devotees​ ​through​​the​​Traditional​​Route​ ​from​ ​Erumeli​ ​to​ ​Sannidhanam,​ ​thereby​ ​safeguarding​ ​their​ ​right​ ​to​ ​freely​ ​practice and manifest their religious beliefs.​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​5​:​ ​3.​ ​When​ ​the​ ​matter​ ​came​ ​up​ ​for​ ​consideration​ ​on​ ​07.11.2025,​ ​this Court directed the respondents to obtain instructions.​ ​4.​ ​On​ ​12.11.2025,​ ​the​ ​learned​ ​Government​ ​Pleader​ ​submitted​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Travancore​ ​Devaswom​ ​Board,​ ​after​ ​consulting​ ​the​ ​District​ ​Collectors​ ​of​ ​the​ ​three​ ​Districts​ ​through​ ​which​ ​the​ ​route​ ​passes​ ​and​ ​obtaining​ ​inputs​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Forest​ ​Department,​ ​decided​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Kanana​ ​Patha​ ​shall​ ​be​​opened​​on​​17.11.2025,​​coinciding​​with​​the​​commencement​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Mandala-Makaravilakku​ ​season,​ ​in​​conformity​​with​​long-established​ ​practice.​ ​5.​ ​A​ ​detailed​ ​statement​ ​was​ ​filed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​4th​ ​respondent​ ​as​ ​directed​ ​by​ ​this​ ​Court.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​stated​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Sabarimala​ ​Dharma​ ​Shastha​ ​Temple​ ​is​ ​situated​ ​deep​ ​within​ ​the​ ​evergreen​ ​forests​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Periyar​ ​Tiger​ ​Reserve,​ ​an​ ​area​ ​of​ ​National​ ​importance,​ ​conferred​ ​with​ ​the​ ​status​ ​of​ ​Reserve​ ​Forest​​and​​Wildlife​​Sanctuary​​due​​to​​its​​rich​​biodiversity​​and​​high​ ​conservation​ ​value.​ ​All​ ​routes​​to​​the​​temple​​pass​​through​​this​​ecologically​ ​sensitive​ ​Reserve,​ ​spanning​ ​the​ ​districts​ ​of​ ​Kottayam,​ ​Idukki,​ ​and​ ​Pathanamthitta.​ ​Permission​​to​​use​​the​​"Kanana​​Patha"​​is​​granted​​annually​ ​from​ ​the​ ​first​ ​day​ ​of​ ​Vrischikam​ ​to​ ​Makaravilakku,​ ​strictly​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​6​:​ ​with​ ​the​ ​approved​ ​Tiger​ ​Conservation​ ​Plan​ ​(2022-2032)​ ​and​ ​following​ ​a​ ​coordinated​ ​consultation​ ​among​ ​the​ ​concerned​ ​District​ ​Collectors​ ​and​ ​Divisional​ ​Forest​ ​Officers.​ ​The​ ​4th​ ​respondent​ ​further​ ​states​ ​that​ ​the​ ​pilgrimage​ ​management​ ​activities​ ​are​ ​undertaken​ ​through​ ​Participatory​ ​Forest​​Management​​practices,​​with​​eight​​Thavalams​​operated​​by​​the​​SAPP​ ​(Swamy​ ​Ayyappan​ ​Poomkavana​ ​Punarudharana),​ ​an​ ​Eco-Development​ ​Committees​ ​(EDC)​ ​along​ ​the​ ​Koikkalkkavu-Pampa​ ​traditional​ ​trek​ ​route.​ ​These​​EDCs​​provide​​eco-friendly​​camping,​​food,​​and​​sanitation​​facilities​​as​ ​per​ ​their​ ​approved​ ​microplans.​ ​Establishing​ ​these​ ​facilities​ ​requires​ ​extensive​ ​preparation​ ​and​ ​logistics​ ​support,​ ​including​ ​transporting​ ​men​ ​and​ ​materials​ ​to​ ​remote​ ​Thavalams​ ​within​ ​dense​ ​forest​ ​terrain.​ ​Accordingly,​ ​these​ ​Thavalams​ ​can​ ​become​ ​operational​ ​only​ ​from​ ​17.11.2025.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​stated​ ​that​ ​in​ ​light​ ​of​ ​the​ ​judgment​ ​of​ ​this​ ​Court​ ​dated​ ​22.12.2022​ ​in​ ​W.P.(C)​ ​No.​ ​40899​ ​of​ ​2022,​ ​and​ ​consistent​ ​with​ ​the​ ​approved​ ​Tiger​ ​Conservation​ ​Plan,​ ​the​ ​entry​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​through​ ​the​ ​Traditional​ ​Route​ ​is​ ​strictly​ ​regulated​ ​for​ ​reasons​ ​of​ ​safety​ ​and​ ​wildlife​ ​protection.​ ​The​ ​operational​ ​timings​ ​and​ ​guidelines​ ​are​ ​disseminated​ ​through​ ​the​ ​"Ayyan"​ ​Mobile​ ​App​ ​launched​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Periyar​ ​Tiger​ ​Reserve​ ​management.​ ​The​ ​claim​ ​of​ ​the​ ​petitioner​ ​that​ ​such​ ​information​ ​is​ ​not​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​7​:​ ​made public was expressly denied.​ ​6.​ ​Dr.​ ​Mathew​ ​Kuzhalnadan,​ ​the​ ​learned​ ​counsel​ ​appearing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​petitioner,​ ​contended​ ​that​ ​the​ ​failure​ ​to​ ​notify​ ​the​ ​opening​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Traditional​ ​Route​ ​in​ ​advance​ ​amounts​ ​to​ ​a​ ​violation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​petitioner.​ ​He​ ​submitted​ ​that​ ​no​ ​unreasonable​ ​restrictions​​can​​be​​imposed​​on​​devotees​​seeking​​to​​perform​​the​​pilgrimage​ ​peacefully​​through​​the​​customary​​path​​.​​According​​to​​him,​​the​​restrictions​ ​placed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​respondents​ ​would​ ​infringe​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​of​​the​​petitioner​​and​ ​other pilgrims under Article 14 and 25 of the Constitution of India.​ ​7.​ ​The​ ​learned​ ​Government​ ​Pleader​ ​and​ ​the​ ​learned​ ​Standing​ ​Counsel​ ​for​ ​the​ ​TDB​ ​submitted​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Sabarimala​ ​Temple​ ​is​ ​located​ ​in​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Periyar​ ​Tiger​ ​Reserve,​ ​surrounded​ ​by​ ​dense​ ​forests​ ​inhabited​ ​by​ ​tigers,​ ​elephants,​ ​bison,​ ​wild​ ​boar,​ ​bears,​ ​and​​leopards.​​The​ ​Erumeli-Pampa​​route,​​spanning​​approximately​​35-45​​kilometres​​of​​rugged​ ​terrain​ ​and​ ​requiring​ ​nearly​ ​eight​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​continuous​ ​trekking,​ ​traverses​ ​highly​ ​sensitive​ ​wildlife​ ​corridors.​ ​For​ ​these​ ​reasons,​ ​the​ ​route​ ​is​ ​strictly​ ​regulated​​by​​the​​Forest​​Department​​to​​prevent​​ecological​​degradation​​and​ ​human-wildlife​ ​conflict.​ ​Entry​ ​is​ ​permitted​ ​only​ ​during​ ​daylight​ ​hours,​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​8​:​ ​typically​ ​between​ ​7:00​ ​a.m.​ ​and​ ​2:00-3:00​ ​p.m.,​ ​and​ ​pilgrims​ ​must​ ​pass​ ​through​ ​multiple​ ​forest​ ​check-posts​ ​and​ ​designated​​resting​​shelters​​(Viri).​ ​The​​learned​​counsel​​also​​referred​​to​​the​​tragic​​stampede​​of​​2011,​​in​​which​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​devotees​ ​lost​ ​their​ ​lives​ ​due​ ​to​ ​overcrowding,​ ​underscoring​ ​the​ ​necessity​ ​of​ ​multi-departmental​ ​coordination​ ​involving​ ​the​ ​police,​ ​health​​services,​​forest​​guards,​​fire​​and​​rescue​​teams,​​and​​the​​NDRF.​​It​​was​ ​emphasized​ ​that​ ​such​ ​measures​ ​are​​indispensable​​to​​ensure​​the​​safety​​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​and​​the​​protection​​of​​the​​forest​​ecosystem.​​Finally​​it​​is​​submitted​ ​that​ ​the​ ​operational​ ​timings​ ​and​ ​guidelines​ ​are​ ​disseminated​ ​through​ ​the​ ​"Ayyan"​ ​Mobile​ ​App​ ​launched​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Periyar​ ​Tiger​ ​Reserve​ ​management​ ​and the assertions to the contrary are incorrect.​ ​8.​ ​We​ ​have​ ​carefully​ ​considered​ ​the​ ​submissions​ ​of​ ​both​ ​sides.​ ​The​ ​principal​ ​prayer​ ​of​​the​​petitioner​​is​​to​​synchronize​​the​​opening​​of​​the​ ​Kanana​​Patha​​with​​the​​opening​​of​​the​​temple​​on​​17.11.2025.​​As​​the​​Nada​ ​is​ ​scheduled​ ​to​ ​open​ ​on​ ​17.11.2025,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​consent​ ​of​ ​both​ ​sides,​ ​we​ ​have taken up this matter for final hearing.​ ​9.​ ​At​ ​the​ ​outset,​ ​we​ ​notice​ ​that​ ​the​ ​issue​ ​raised​ ​in​ ​this​ ​petition​ ​stands​ ​squarely​ ​covered​ ​in​​C.N.​ ​Madhusoodanan​ ​v.​ ​State​ ​of​​Kerala​​1​,​ ​ ​1​ ​2022 KHC OnLine 8093​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​9​:​ ​wherein​ ​this​ ​Court,​​upon​​considering​​reports​​from​​the​​District​​Police​​Chief​ ​and​​the​​Deputy​​Director​​of​​the​​Periyar​​Tiger​​Reserve,​​held​​that​​restrictions​ ​on​ ​the​ ​timing​ ​and​ ​regulation​ ​of​ ​trekking​ ​through​ ​the​ ​forest​ ​route​ ​are​ ​essential​ ​for​ ​ensuring​ ​the​ ​safety​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​and​ ​conservation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Reserve.​ ​The​ ​Court​ ​further​ ​observed​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Reserve,​ ​being​ ​a​ ​protected​ ​area, such restrictions warrant no interference.​ ​10.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​undisputed​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Traditional​ ​Route​ ​traverses​ ​an​ ​ecologically​ ​fragile​ ​region​ ​of​ ​significant​ ​biodiversity.​​Although​​only​​a​​small​ ​fraction​​of​​the​​approximately​​50​​lakh​​pilgrims​​visiting​​Sabarimala​​each​​year​ ​undertake​ ​this​ ​long​ ​forest​ ​trek,​ ​even​ ​that​ ​limited​ ​number​ ​poses​ ​considerable​ ​logistical​ ​and​ ​ecological​ ​challenges.​​It​​is​​a​​matter​​of​​concern​ ​that​ ​no​ ​restrictions​ ​whatsoever​ ​are​ ​presently​ ​imposed​ ​on​ ​the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​persons​ ​permitted​ ​to​ ​traverse​ ​the​ ​Kanana​ ​Patha​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​Pamba.​ ​When​ ​groups​ ​comprising​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​move​ ​through​ ​this​ ​sensitive​ ​terrain,​ ​serious​ ​damage​ ​is​ ​caused​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Periyar​ ​Tiger​ ​Reserve.​ ​Notwithstanding​ ​intensive​ ​monitoring,​ ​pilgrims​​may​​stray​​from​​designated​ ​paths,​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​cooking,​ ​construct​ ​temporary​ ​resting​ ​places​ ​using​​twigs​ ​and​ ​other​ ​forest​ ​produce,​ ​disturb​ ​wildlife,​ ​and​ ​carry​ ​non-biodegradable​ ​materials​​such​​as​​plastic.​​There​​have​​been​​reported​​instances​​of​​elephants​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​10​​:​ ​dying​ ​after​ ​ingesting​ ​plastic​ ​waste,​ ​underscoring​ ​the​​grave​​environmental​ ​consequences​ ​of​ ​unregulated​ ​access.​ ​Numerous​ ​incidents​ ​of​ ​human-animal​ ​conflict​ ​have​ ​also​ ​been​ ​recorded,​ ​with​ ​unsuspecting​ ​pilgrims​ ​losing​ ​their​ ​lives​ ​upon​ ​inadvertently​ ​entering​ ​the​ ​habitat​ ​of​ ​wild​ ​animals.​ ​The​ ​accumulation​ ​of​ ​waste,​​deforestation,​​forest​​fires,​​and​​other​ ​forms​​of​​environmental​​degradation​​remain​​persistent​​threats,​​exacerbated​ ​by​ ​the​ ​continued​ ​reliance​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​on​ ​forest​ ​resources​ ​for​ ​fuel​ ​and​ ​temporary shelter.​ ​11.​ ​We​ ​have​ ​no​ ​doubt​ ​in​ ​our​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​the​ ​protection​ ​of​ ​the​ ​environment​​is​​a​​paramount​​consideration.​​We​​find​​it​​difficult​​to​​accept​​the​ ​contention​ ​advanced​ ​by​ ​the​ ​petitioner​ ​that​ ​the​ ​respondents​ ​should​ ​sync​ ​the​ ​entry​ ​permit​ ​given​ ​to​ ​the​ ​petitioner​ ​with​ ​the​ ​opening​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Kanana​ ​Patha.​ ​The​ ​Reserve​ ​Forest​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​transit​ ​route.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​living​ ​ecosystem​ ​that​​the​​State​​is​​constitutionally​​bound​​to​​conserve.​​Past​​tragedies​​in​​1999​ ​and​ ​2011,​​leading​​to​​the​​loss​​of​​hundreds​​of​​lives,​​reveal​​the​​catastrophic​ ​risks​ ​of​ ​unmanaged​ ​pilgrimages.​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​unpredictable​ ​weather,​ ​the​ ​difficult​​terrain,​​and​​the​​necessity​​for​​coordination​​among​​the​​Collectors​​of​ ​Pathanamthitta,​ ​Idukki,​ ​and​ ​Kottayam,​ ​each​ ​heading​ ​their​ ​respective​ ​District​ ​Disaster​ ​Management​ ​Authorities,​​make​​it​​imperative​​for​​the​​TDB,​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​11​​:​ ​District​​Administration​​and​​Forest​​Department​​to​​exercise​​extreme​​caution​ ​and regulate access.​ ​12.​ ​The​ ​introduction​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Virtual​ ​Queue​ ​system​ ​after​ ​the​ ​2011​ ​tragedy​ ​was​ ​a​ ​crowd​ ​management​ ​measure,​ ​aimed​ ​at​ ​preventing​ ​congestion​ ​and​ ​ensuring​ ​safety​ ​at​ ​Sannidhanam.​ ​Though​ ​it​ ​primarily​ ​governs​​the​​entry​​through​​Pamba,​​it​​necessarily​​would​​indirectly​​affect​​the​ ​movement​​of​​devotees​​along​​the​​forest​​route​​as​​well.​​However,​​the​​larger​ ​risks​ ​of​ ​stampedes,​​medical​​emergencies,​​or​​human-wildlife​​encounters​​in​ ​such terrain justifies the restrictions imposed.​ ​13.​ ​We​​are​​of​​the​​considered​​view​​that​​the​​safety​​of​​pilgrims​​and​ ​the​ ​preservation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Periyar​ ​Tiger​ ​Reserve​ ​demand​​strict​​adherence​​to​ ​the​ ​carrying​ ​capacity​ ​of​ ​(i)​ ​the​ ​Sannidhanam​ ​precincts,​ ​(ii)​ ​the​ ​approach​ ​and​​queue​​management​​corridors,​​and​​(iii)​​the​​feeder​​nodes​​at​​Pamba​​and​ ​along​ ​the​ ​Traditional​​Route.​​The​​term​​"carrying​​capacity"​​would​​mean​​the​ ​maximum​ ​number​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​who​ ​can​ ​be​ ​accommodated​ ​at​ ​any​ ​given​ ​time​​or​​per​​hour​​without​​causing​​unacceptable​​risks​​to​​life,​​public​​order,​​or​ ​the​ ​environment.​ ​The​ ​respondents​ ​are​ ​accordingly​ ​advised​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​and​ ​notify​ ​the​ ​maximum​ ​number​ ​of​ ​pilgrims​ ​who​ ​may​ ​be​ ​permitted​ ​to​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​12​​:​ ​traverse the Traditional Path on any given day.​ ​14.​ ​The​ ​determination​ ​of​ ​carrying​ ​capacity​ ​is​​a​​technical​​exercise​ ​which,​ ​if​ ​not​ ​already​ ​undertaken,​ ​must​ ​be​ ​carried​ ​out​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Travancore​ ​Devaswom​ ​Board​ ​in​ ​coordination​ ​with​ ​the​ ​District​​Police,​​Health​​Services,​ ​Disaster​ ​Management​ ​Authorities,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Forest​ ​Department.​ ​This​ ​determination​​shall​​be​​based​​on​​scientific​​parameters​​such​​as​​topography,​ ​crowd​ ​density​ ​thresholds,​ ​emergency​ ​evacuation​ ​capabilities,​ ​and​ ​ecological sensitivity.​ ​15.​ ​In​ ​light​ ​of​ ​past​ ​tragedies​ ​and​ ​in​ ​keeping​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Precautionary Principle, the respondents would be well advised to:​ ​(a)​ ​Publish,​ ​before​ ​the​ ​commencement​​of​​each​​Mandala-Makaravilakku​ ​season,​ ​the​ ​computed​ ​carrying​ ​capacity​ ​(including​ ​peak​ ​simultaneous​​presence​​and​​hourly​​throughput)​​for​​Sannidhanam​​and​ ​each​ ​feeder​ ​node,​ ​along​ ​with​ ​contingency​ ​down-rating​ ​for​ ​adverse​ ​weather or emergency conditions;​ ​(b)​ ​Issue​ ​dynamic​ ​advisories,​ ​including​ ​temporary​ ​suspensions​ ​or​ ​restricted​ ​time​ ​windows,​​when​​crowd​​densities​​approach​​cautionary​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​13​​:​ ​thresholds;​ ​(c)​ ​employ​ ​appropriate​ ​technological​ ​systems​ ​to​ ​monitor,​ ​in​ ​real​ ​time,​ ​the​​number​​of​​persons​​present​​at​​Sannidhanam​​and​​to​​record​​those​ ​remaining beyond the permissible time limits;​ ​(d)​ ​maintain​ ​a​ ​real-time​ ​integrated​ ​control​ ​room,​ ​if​ ​not​ ​already​ ​operational,​ ​linking​ ​the​ ​Travancore​ ​Devaswom​​Board,​​Police,​​Health​ ​Services,​ ​Forest​ ​Department,​ ​and​ ​NDRF,​ ​to​ ​continuously​ ​monitor​ ​footfall,​​queue​​lengths,​​and​​medical​​incidents,​​and​​to​​trigger​​phased​ ​holds whenever necessary; and​ ​(e)​ ​reflect​ ​the​ ​above​ ​data​ ​and​ ​advisories​ ​on​ ​public-facing​ ​platforms,​ ​including​​the​​Virtual​​Queue​​portal​​and​​the​​Ayyan​​mobile​​application,​ ​thereby​ ​enabling​ ​pilgrims​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​their​ ​routes​ ​and​ ​timings​ ​responsibly.​ ​16.​ ​We​ ​are​ ​not​ ​persuaded​ ​by​ ​the​ ​petitioner's​​contention​​that​​the​ ​deferment​​of​​the​​opening​​of​​the​​'Kanana​​Patha'​​infringes​​upon​​his​​religious​ ​freedom.​​Article​​25​​of​​the​​Constitution​​guarantees​​freedom​​of​​religion,​​but​ ​it​ ​is​ ​subject​ ​to​​public​​order,​​morality,​​and​​health.​​The​​duty​​of​​the​​State​​to​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​14​​:​ ​safeguard​ ​lives​ ​and​ ​preserve​ ​the​ ​environment​ ​constitutes​ ​a​ ​reasonable​ ​restriction​​under​​this​​provision.​​The​​avowed​​desire​​of​​the​​pilgrim​​is​​to​​have​ ​darshan​ ​of​ ​Lord​ ​Ayyappa​ ​and​ ​perform​ ​the​ ​holy​ ​rituals.​ ​The​ ​mode​ ​of​ ​reaching​​the​​temple​​can​​be​​seen​​as​​a​​means​​to​​an​​end,​​not​​the​​end​​itself.​ ​The​ ​vast​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​Ayyappa​ ​devotees​ ​today​ ​reach​ ​Sabarimala​ ​by​ ​other​ ​routes​​without​​any​​doctrinal​​impropriety,​​which​​would​​mean​​that​​while​​the​ ​traditional​ ​route​ ​is​ ​hallowed​ ​by​ ​custom,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​mandated​ ​as​ ​per​ ​any​ ​religious​ ​tenets​ ​or​ ​scriptures.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​no​ ​scriptural​ ​injunction​ ​that​ ​one​ ​must​​only​​arrive​​via​​Erumeli​​forest​​to​​fulfill​​the​​pilgrimage.​​Rather,​​it​​was​​a​ ​logistical​ ​necessity​ ​when​ ​there​ ​were​ ​no​ ​roads​ ​or​ ​access​ ​and​ ​a​ ​respected​ ​tradition.​​Under​​no​​circumstances,​​can​​the​​mode​​of​​access​​to​​a​​temple​​be​ ​construed​​as​​an​​essential​​religious​​practice.​ ​In​​Nar​​Hari​​Sastri​​and​​Ors.​ ​vs.​ ​Shri​ ​Badrinath​ ​Temple​​Committee​​2​​,​​it​​was​​held​​by​​a​​Three​​Judge​ ​Bench​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Apex​ ​Court​ ​that​ ​the​ ​right​ ​of​ ​entry​ ​into​ ​a​ ​public​ ​temple​ ​is,​ ​however,​ ​not​ ​an​ ​unregulated​ ​or​ ​unrestricted​ ​right.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​open​ ​to​ ​the​ ​trustees​ ​of​ ​a​ ​public​ ​temple​ ​to​ ​regulate​ ​the​ ​time​ ​of​ ​public​ ​visits​ ​and​ ​fix​ ​certain​​hours​​of​​the​​day,​​during​​which​​alone,​​members​​of​​the​​public​​would​ ​be​ ​allowed​ ​access​ ​to​ ​the​ ​shrine.​ ​The​ ​temple​ ​authorities​ ​would​ ​always​​be​ ​competent​​to​​make​​and​​enforce​​rules​​to​​ensure​​good​​order​​and​​decency​​of​ ​2​ ​(1952) 1 SCC 689​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​15​​:​ ​worship​ ​and​ ​prevent​ ​overcrowding​ ​in​ ​a​ ​temple.​ ​Good​ ​conduct​ ​or​ ​orderly​ ​behavior is always an obligatory condition of admission into a temple.​ ​17.​ ​As​ ​observed​ ​above,​ ​the​ ​opening​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Kanana​ ​Patha​ ​necessitates​​coordinated​​action​​across​​multiple​​departments,​​including​​the​ ​Police,​​Health​​Services,​​Forest​​Guards,​​Fire​​and​​Rescue​​personnel,​​and​​the​ ​NDRF.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​only​ ​after​ ​comprehensive​ ​inter-departmental​ ​consultation​ ​and​​due​​diligence​​that​​the​​date​​for​​opening​​the​​Kanana​​Patha​​was​​finalised​ ​as​ ​17.11.2025,​ ​to​ ​coincide​ ​with​ ​the​ ​opening​ ​of​ ​the​ ​temple.​ ​This​ ​decision​ ​has​ ​also​ ​been​ ​duly​ ​reflected​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Ayyan​ ​mobile​ ​application​ ​for​ ​the​ ​information​ ​of​ ​all​ ​pilgrims.​ ​In​ ​these​ ​circumstances,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​incumbent​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​petitioner​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​and​ ​coordinate​ ​his​ ​travel​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​established​ ​schedule.​ ​He​ ​cannot​ ​insist​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Patha​ ​be​ ​opened​ ​to​ ​align​ ​solely​ ​with​ ​his​ ​personal​ ​convenience,​ ​disregarding​ ​the​ ​larger​ ​administrative, logistical, and safety considerations involved.​ ​18.​ ​Before​ ​parting,​ ​we​ ​deem​ ​it​ ​appropriate​ ​to​ ​remind​ ​the​ ​petitioner​​that​​the​​ethos​​of​​Sabarimala​​is​​deeply​​rooted​​in​​the​​sacred​​chant​ ​"Tat​​Tvam​​Asi",​​a​​Sanskrit​​mahāvākya​​meaning​​"That​​art​​Thou"​​or​​"You​​are​ ​That."​ ​This​ ​profound​ ​declaration,​ ​originating​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Chandogya​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​16​​:​ ​Upanishad,​ ​encapsulates​ ​the​ ​essence​ ​of​ ​Advaita​ ​Vedanta,​ ​that​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​self​ ​(Ātman)​ ​is​ ​one​ ​with​ ​the​ ​ultimate​ ​reality​ ​(Brahman).​ ​The​ ​principle​ ​of​ ​'Tat​ ​Tvam​ ​Asi'​ ​enjoins​ ​reverence​ ​for​ ​all​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​life,​ ​emphasizing​​unity​​and​​interconnectedness​​between​​human​​beings,​​nature,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​divine.​ ​Protecting​ ​the​ ​forest​ ​and​ ​preserving​ ​the​ ​sanctity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Periyar​ ​Tiger​ ​Reserve,​ ​therefore,​ ​harmonize​ ​with,​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​contradict,​ ​the​ ​spiritual​ ​philosophy​ ​that​ ​underpins​ ​Lord​ ​Ayyappa's​ ​abode​ ​at​ ​Sabarimala.​ ​19.​ ​In​ ​view​ ​of​ ​the​ ​discussion​ ​above,​ ​we​ ​hold​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​reason​ ​to​ ​interfere​ ​with​ ​the​ ​strict​ ​regulatory​ ​controls​ ​imposed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​competent​ ​authorities​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​safety​ ​of​ ​pilgrims,​ ​conservation​ ​of​ ​wildlife, and the ecological integrity of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.​ ​This Writ Petition is dismissed​​.​ ​Sd/-​ ​RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V,​ ​JUDGE​ ​Sd/-​ ​K.V. JAYAKUMAR,​ ​JUDGE​ ​PS​​/13/11/25​ ​2025:KER:86782​ ​WP(C) No. 41785 of 2025​ ​:​17​​:​ APPENDIX OF WP(C) 41785/2025​ ​ PETITIONER EXHIBITS​ ​ Exhibit P1​ ​ ​​​ A TRUE​​COPY​​ OF​​THE​​VIRTUAL​​BOOKING​​ COUPON​​OF​ THE PETITIONER DATED 17.11.2025​ ​ Exhibit P2​ ​ A​​ ​ TRUE​​COPY​​ OF​​THE​​NEWSPAPER​​ ARTICLE​​'ANNUAL​ PILGRIMAGE​ ​ ​ TO​ ​ SABARIMALA​ ​ BEGINS​ ​AMID​ ​RAIN,​ COVID-19​ ​ ​ CURBS'​ ​PUBLISHED​ ​BY​ ​ONMANORAMA​ ​ON​ 14.11.2021​ ​ Exhibit P3​ ​ A​​ ​ TRUE​​COPY​​ OF​​THE​​NEWSPAPER​​ ARTICLE​​'POLICE​ STOP​ ​ ​ SABARIMALA​ ​ PILGRIMS​ ​FROM​ ​TREKKING​ ​VIA​ KARIMALA​ ​ ​ FOREST​ ​ROUTE​ ​READ​ ​ MORE'​ ​PUBLISHED​ BY MATHRUBHUMI ON 22.12.2021​ ​ Exhibit P4​ ​ A​ ​ ​ TRUE​ ​ COPY​ ​ OF​ ​ THE​ ​NEWSPAPER​ ​ ARTICLE​ 'SABARIMALA:​​ ​ KARIMALA​​ FOREST​​PATH​​TO​​ BE​​OPEN​ FROM​ ​ ​ DEC​ ​30'​ ​PUBLISHED​ ​ BY​ ​ MATHRUBHUMI​ ​ ON​ 23.12.2021​ ​ Exhibit P5​ ​ A​ ​ ​ TRUE​ ​COPY​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​2023-2024​ ​CALENDAR​ ​AS​ DISPLAYED​ ​ ​ BY​ ​ THE​ ​TRAVANCORE​ ​ DEVASWOM​ ​BOARD​ ON THEIR WEBSITE​ ​ Exhibit P6​ ​ A​​ ​ TRUE​​COPY​​ OF​​THE​​NEWSPAPER​​ ARTICLE​​'KERALA​ GOVT​ ​ ​ EASES​ ​CURBS​ ​ON​ ​ TREKKING​ ​THROUGH​​ FOREST​ PATH​ ​ ​ TO​ ​ SABARIMALA​ ​ TEMPLE'​ ​ PUBLISHED​ ​BY​​THE​ NEW INDIAN EXPRESS ON 24.12.2023​ ​ RESPONDENT ANNEXURES​ ​ Annexure R4(a)​ ​ ​rue​ ​ T copy​ ​ of​ ​ the​ ​ map​ ​ showing​ ​ trek​ ​ routes​ through PTR to Sabarimala.​ ​