Sabarimala preparations moving at a snail’s pace; police, Collector raise concerns, government unhappy

PATHANAMTHITTA/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police and the Pathanamthitta District Collector have expressed concern to the Travancore Devaswom Board over the unexpected crisis at Sabarimala, including the shortage of Aravana. The state government is also deeply dissatisfied with the situation. Preparations for the Mandala pilgrimage season have not yet begun in full swing. The shortage of Aravana had disappointed devotees, including those who arrived from other states for the Kannimasa pooja.

Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar has also expressed his displeasure over the Aravana controversy. He openly said that vested interests were trying to worsen the situation. The Board is yet to determine when the renovation of the Aravana plant will be completed. The tender for jaggery required to produce Appam and Aravana during the Mandala season has also not been finalised.

The police have warned that any shortage of Aravana during the Mandala season could lead to protests by devotees and create a law and order problem. Procedures related to the Aravana production tender and construction of the queue complex are also not progressing efficiently. Pathanamthitta District Police Chief R. Anand submitted a report to the DGP and Devaswom authorities, urging them to speed up the measures to ensure a smooth pilgrimage.

District Collector A. Nizamudeen pointed out at a review meeting that Devaswom construction works were progressing slowly. The construction of the Aravana plant, queue complex and other infrastructure works, along with waste removal, were originally scheduled to be completed by October 15. The deadline has now been extended to November 1.

Devaswom Minister to brief Chief Minister on crisis

Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan will brief the Chief Minister on the crisis at Sabarimala on Wednesday. The current problem during the Malayalam month of Kanni arose after the renovation of the Aravana plant was started without keeping sufficient stocks of Aravana. At a review meeting convened by the Chief Minister, it was decided that 70 lakh tins of Aravana should be kept as a reserve when the Mandala season begins. The possibility of achieving this target now appears low. In previous years, jaggery had reached the Sannidhanam godown by August itself. This year, the process has been delayed as the contract has not even been finalised.

“If the plant renovation takes more time, Appam and Aravana should be stocked. If there is any lapse during the Mandala season, the government will go to any extent to address it.”
- K. Muraleedharan, Devaswom Minister

“Some people with financial interests are trying to take advantage of the situation and are creating obstacles. They do not want things to proceed smoothly. The situation is like being on a war front.”
- K. Jayakumar, Devaswom Board president