Thanthri kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru performing padipuja at the Sabarimala temple. File | Photo Credit: Leju Kamal A senior representative of the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, which is traditionally and by legend the foster family of Lord Ayyappa, the Sabarimala deity, criticised the State of Kerala in the Supreme Court on Thursday (April 23, 2026) for not taking a firm stand against petitions filed by non-believers questioning the age-old rituals and beliefs of the temple. Appearing before a nine-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, senior advocate K. Radhakrishnan, appearing for the royal family representative, recalled that the State had not budged years ago in the face of a demand to initiate an enquiry into the Makaravilakku. Published – April 23, 2026 11:14 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Man found dead; debt, harassment alleged Residents near Katpadi boycott polls after relocation of polling booth