India, Sept. 12 -- The Kerala High Court on Thursday showed the green light to the proposed 'Global Ayyappa Sangamam' on the banks of the Pampa River on September 20, while laying out specific directions to protect the sanctity of the Sabarimala shrine and the surrounding environment.

The division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and KV Jayakumar was hearing a plea that claimed that the event being planned by the Travancore Devaswom Board, which administers the Sabarimala shrine among other temples, was political in nature and disguised as a religious gathering.

The HC underlined that it was not persuaded that the TDB was engaging in an activity that went beyond its statutory powers.

"The evident objective is to mobilise much-need...