At a formal ceremony held at the newly inaugurated Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters, K. Jayakumar, writer, former Chief Secretary, and IMG member, officially assumed charge as the President of the Travancore Devaswom Board, while K. Raju took charge as a member. Senior officials, dignitaries, and devotees attended the event, marking a significant transition in the administration.
Addressing the gathering, K. Jayakumar reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to safeguarding the sentiments and faith of devotees. He emphasized that certain past incidents had caused concern, but assured that the administration would now ensure that “the faith of devotees will not be offended” and that corrective measures were already underway.
He further stated that illegal activities will not be tolerated, highlighting that incidents such as the previous gold theft at Sabarimala would not recur. “Wherever strict action is required, it will be taken. The entire functioning of the Board will be transparent,” he added.
The event, presided over by A. Santhosh Kumar, saw the participation of Ministers G. S. Anil, V. Sivankutty, Rama Chandran Kadannappally, MLA V. Joy, and several other public representatives. In a symbolic gesture, K. Jayakumar handed over a ceremonial lamp to former President P. Prasanth after lighting it, marking the seamless transition of leadership.
During the meeting, preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season were reviewed in detail. The president and board members will travel to Sabarimala on Sunday to oversee arrangements firsthand and ensure that pilgrims have a smooth and secure experience.
The Board reiterated its focus on transparency, accountability, and the protection of temple traditions as it embarks on its new administrative term.