THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will not attend the Global Ayyappa Sangam to be held in Pamba on September 20. It was earlier announced that Stalin would be the chief guest at the event. The Tamil Nadu government clarified that Stalin will not be able to attend the function due to a pre-scheduled event. Stalin also informed that two ministers from his cabinet will be assigned to attend the event in his absence.

Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, along with high-ranking officials, arrived in Chennai to invite the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Tamil Nadu Devaswom Minister P.K. Shekharbabu, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, Secretaries to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Umanath and Anu George, Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism, Culture and Endowment Department K. Manivasan, Kerala Devaswom Secretary M G Rajamanickam, and Travancore Devaswom Board Commissioner P. Sunil Kumar were with the minister. The Ayyappa Sangam is being organised as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Travancore Devaswom Board. It is reported that ministers from Karnataka and Telangana, Union ministers from Kerala, and the Leader of the Opposition will also be present at the function.

The Travancore Devaswom Board is envisioning the Global Ayyappa Sangam as the biggest devotee gathering to be organised in South India. The objectives of the gathering are to spread the message of "Tat Tvam Asi" worldwide and to present Sabarimala to the world as a global pilgrimage centre. The first-ever Global Ayyappa Sangam to be held in Kerala will bring together Ayyappa devotees from all over the world and various states of India on one platform. 3000 delegates are expected to participate in the gathering.