Pamba and Pandalam, two of Kerala’s sacred sites associated with Lord Ayyappa, became arenas for political and ideological contestation between the ruling LDF and BJP, as Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pamba and the Sangh Parivar’s Pandalam event competed to woo devotees. The gatherings signalled the growing influence of Ayyappa in Kerala politics in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.