Citing ecological concerns, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday refused to modify an order it issued on Monday to the Travancore Devaswom Board that curbed the sale of shampoo sachets and chemical vermilion (kumkum) at Sabarimala.
Expressing concern at the threat these items posed to the ecology of the region, the court said it was concerned more about environmental hazards than not the commercial interests of the stall owners who may be affected by the ban. The court was hearing a plea filed by a section of stall owners, who contended that vermilion was essential during the pilgrimage season and that it was part of tradition. They further claimed that they had paid in advance to suppliers for the item.
The court was informed on Monday that the vermilion that used to be made using traditional methods had over the years been replaced by chemical substitute. This was sprayed on the bodies of people who perform ‘pettathullal’. Shampoos stored in plastic sachets, and detergents are then used for its removal.
Erumely grama panchayat had submitted that such materials were being dumped in the locality. Consequently, what was once a celebration of nature had turned into a source of chemical exposure, dermatological toxicity, and environmental degradation. These chemicals caused aquatic toxicity and also depleted oxygen levels in waterbodies.
Published – November 12, 2025 08:37 pm IST
