August 1946

Maharaja of Travancore

At a meeting convened at Sri Chitra Hindu Matha Granthashala, a decision was taken to provide potable drinking water to the pilgrims during their trek. As there were not many hygienic water sources en-route, water had to be carried over long distances by porters, boiled and provided to the pilgrims. It was also decided that whatever medical aid (ayurvedic/allopathic/homoeo)was possible would be provided.

The Maharaja of Travancore visited Sabarimala in 1946 AD. Impressed with Sangham activities, he made an on-the-spot donation of Rs.700 to the Sangham and also promulgated an annual grant of Rs.8000.

Action was initiated to provide medical aid and to provide "Chukku Vellam" (water boiled and flavoured with dried ginger and herbs)along the pilgrimage route.

51 Branches of Ayyappa Seva Sangham were inaugurated.

Temporary Hospitals were set up. Lighting arrangements were made to facilitate movement of pilgrims. Public address systems were installed to broadcast religious songs/bhajans/make important announcements and to help re-group pilgrims who had got separated from their respective groups.

To spread the organisation to the four divisions of erstwhile Travancore state, Shri Parameshwaran Pillai was appointed. Similarly, the following were appointed for the other regions:

Kollam : Shri Shankara Kurup Shastry
Kottayam : Sri KK Ilayath
Cherthala/ Ambalapuzha/Srikrishnapuram: Shri Raghavan Pillai

Under the pioneership of Shri K P Sashtrigal, Shri NP Panikar and Shri Puthezhathu Raman Menon, the inaugural issue of 'Sree Ayyappan' magazine was published which till today remains the sole official publication of Sangham. (Nowadays there are two editions, Malayalam edition published from Thiruvananthapuram and a Tamil edition from Madurai).

The first financial document (Profit & Loss account of 1947) was presented by Dr PA Velayudhan Pillai.

1949 AD (1127 Malayalam Era). The year 1950 witnessed an unfortunate incident which was as heinous as it was senseless. Anti-social elements set fire to the temple and broke the sacred idol. This act of sacrilege was committed during a period when the temple remained closed as per schedule. The gross act was discovered when the Mel Santhi (Chief Priest) went to re-open the temple during the next session.

Under the leadership of Sir PT Rajan and Advocate Sri Nagappan Nair and others, for the first time, 'Ayyappa Jyothi' was ceremoniously taken around Kerala and Tamilnadu. Ayyappa Seva Sangham extended whole hearted support, in every aspect, towards re-construction of the temple.

The 11th annual meeting of Sangham was inaugurated by the Maharajah of Travancore. A World Hindu Conference was held at Sasthankotta under the leadership of Shri M K K Nair, Dr Nataraj Guru and Swami Nitya Chaitanyathi. Representatives from 36 nations took part.

For the social upliftment of Adivasi tribals living between Erumeli and Sabarimala, Dr P A Velayudhan Pillai, Shri PNS Kartha, Shri PK Vaidyan and Kaviyur K C Raja conducted a basic literacy and hygiene awareness campaign. Essential food items and clothing were also provided to the tribals. The team made periodical long duration visits to the jungle.

Shri V V Giri , then Governor of Kerala (later President of India) laid the foundation stone of Ayyappa Seva Sangham Building at Sabarimala.

During the tenure of Shri P Subramaniam (Sangham President) and Shri KG Satyavan Pillai (Sangham Secretary), construction activities aimed at building permanent structures for Ayyappa Seva Sangham at Thiruvananthapuram and Sannidhanam began.

At Sannidhanam, the building was to have office rooms, medical emergency wing and limited living space.

At Pampa, limited office accommodation, free food distribution centre and Dr P A Velayudhan Pillai Memorial Jubilee Mandapam were constructed.

Also more than 100 public latrines were constructed at Valiyanavattom and Thiruvabharana Mani Mandapam.  At Erumeli, living arrangements for volunteers were organised.