Global Ayyappa Sangamam: Error in audit report; Travancore Devaswom Board releases figures

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board has released the figures of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, including the return of the three crores paid in advance. At the same time, it has also clarified that there was an error in the audit report. The estimates, invoices, bills and contract documents submitted by the event management agency were given to the chartered accountant for audit. The audit report, including the direct expenses of the board, was handed over to the special commissioner. The report was submitted to the High Court before the board meeting saw it. Therefore, there was a misunderstanding that Nanda Govindam Bhajans performed and that they were paid. The audit report was submitted before the detailed examination to meet the deadline given by the High Court. The shortcomings in the report will be addressed.

The three crores paid as an advance on October 17, 2025, were returned. There is Rs 1,74,40,912, including interest in the special account. Five crore was deposited from the board's general account into the special account for the Sangamam. Out of this, three crore was given as an advance to the event management agency.

Rs 12,76,440 was given to various hotels and Rs 15,25,424 as GST. Dhanlaxmi Bank gave two crore excluding GST and Kerala Bank gave one crore including GST as sponsorship. Adani Group has promised to give one crore. It was also stated that more than twice the number of people estimated were provided with food.

Bed for the Chief Minister: False news

The Devaswom Board said that there is no mention of spending Rs 1 lakh on buying a bed for the Chief Minister in the audit report or in the report submitted by the Special Commissioner to the High Court. The renovation of the Pampa Guesthouse was being misinterpreted. Rs 3,83,439 was allocated under the heading "Part K" to buy furniture and other things for the guesthouse. This is what was misinterpreted.

Money given to Ishan Dev

Nanda Govindam Bhajans was approached to perform a bhajan at the Ayyappa Sangam, but the troupe informed that it could not participate as it had other programs. Subsequently, musician Ishan Dev coordinated various troupes and presented a musical performance in which 35 people participated. The cost of their five days of accommodation, food and rehearsals was eight lakhs. If Nanda Govindam Bhajans was given the money, there should have been a voucher or bank transaction records. The misunderstanding was caused by an error in the statement submitted to the auditor by the event management agency.