V. SHYAMOHAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) 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 writ petition has been filed seeking the following reliefs:

(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.

(3.) When the matter came up for consideration on 7/11/2025, this Court directed the respondents to obtain instructions.