‘Will raise concerns with High Court; devotees must get prasadam when temple is open’: K Muraleedharan expresses displeasure over Aravana shortage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan has expressed strong displeasure over the shortage of Aravana and Appam at the Sabarimala temple, which is open for the monthly poojas of the Malayalam month of Kanni. Speaking to the media, the minister said that he would raise the matter with the High Court if necessary. He also made it clear that the government would not allow any more experiments in this regard. The shortage of Aravana was caused by the suspension of prasadam production for work to increase the capacity of the plant.

“Usually, maintenance and other works at the plant are carried out when the temple is closed. It is not right to carry out such work while the temple is open. That is why the shortage of Aravana occurred. Let me make one thing clear. There is no point in issuing statements like this. The government has to fulfil its responsibility. If necessary, I will convey my concerns to the High Court," Muraleedharan said.

"We cannot allow such an experiment under any circumstances. Won't devotees visiting Sabarimala for darshan before the Mandala season need Aravana and Appam? There should be a basis for what the Board says. Devotees must get prasadam when the temple is open. It is the responsibility of the Devaswom Board to make the necessary arrangements. Couldn't the work at the plant have been carried out when the temple was closed? Otherwise, an alternative arrangement should have been made. The Aravana shortage witnessed now is a warning. I will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister and take strong action,” the minister said.

The other day, the Devaswom Minister had called Travancore Devaswom Board president K Jayakumar over the phone and expressed his displeasure. He criticised the Board for failing to maintain an adequate reserve stock. In previous years, Aravana production had not been completely stopped while the plant's capacity was increased or maintenance work was carried out.

In previous years, between 2.50 lakh and 2.80 lakh tins of Aravana were sold during the month of Kanni. Based on this, 3.20 lakh tins were produced as reserve stock before the plants were shut down. However, more than 80 per cent of the stock was exhausted within two days of the temple opening.

During last year's Mandala-Makaravilakku season, between three lakh and four lakh tins of Aravana were sold. Around 2 lakh to 2.25 lakh tins were produced every day. A shortage was avoided last year because 50 lakh tins of Aravana had been produced and kept as reserve stock before the pilgrimage season began.