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    Amid speculation of lower turnout, Ayyappa sangamam draws to close

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    By The Hindu Bureau

    Copyright thehindu

    Amid speculation of lower turnout, Ayyappa sangamam draws to close

    PAHANAMTHITTA

    Amidst widespread reports of poor attendance, Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan said the Global Ayyappa Sangamam ended on a high note, notable for both participation and efficient organisation.

    According to the Minister, a total of 4,126 participants registered for the event, of whom 1,819 were from Kerala, 2,125 from 13 other States, and 182 were international representatives.

    From Tamil Nadu 1,545, Andhra Pradesh 90, Telangana 182, Karnataka 184, Maharashtra 43, Puducherry 53, Uttar Pradesh 4, Gujarat 4, Delhi 2, Haryana 1, Chhattisgarh 4, Assam 1, and Odisha 12, while international participants included Sri Lanka 39, Malaysia 13, Canada 12, U.S. 5, Abu Dhabi 18, Dubai 16, Sharjah 19, Ajman 3, Bahrain 11, Oman 13, Qatar 10, Singapore 8, U.K. 13, and Saudi Arabia 2.

    “After the inaugural session, discussions were held in three separate sessions, with only those interested in specific topics registering for each,” the Minister said, while also clarifying that some misleading reports cited attendance numbers from a single venue to claim that registered participants had not shown up.

    “Initially, registration was planned for 3,000 participants, but this was later increased to 5,000. The organisers ensured a spacious venue, allowing attendees to be comfortably accommodated,” the Minister added.

    The clarification comes in response to pictures and footage showing empty chairs at the main venue, initially broadcast by news channels and later widely circulated on social media, which sparked speculation that the event had been a damp squib.

    Seats turned empty as several attendees left the main venue immediately after the Chief Minister left the stage, while seminars held across three different venues took place in front of largely vacant chairs.

    According to the Minister, key suggestions emerging from the discussions will be examined and implemented by an 18-member committee, and preparations have already begun to ensure a smooth pilgrimage season this year.

    Meanwhile, organisers said the delegates who attended the conclave will be provided with a questionnaire about the Master Plan. Ayyappa devotees worldwide can share their feedback via the email addresses: sabarimalamasterplan.hpc@gmail.com, tdbcer@gmail.com and eesabarimala@gmail.com

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