Aravana production at risk? Sabarimala runs short of rice ahead of Thulam month poojas

PATHANAMTHITTA: With just a week left for the Sabarimala temple to open for the Thulam month poojas, only 27 sacks of raw rice remain for aravana production, enough to make around 27,000 tins of the popular prasadam. An estimated six lakh to nine lakh tins of aravana are expected to be sold during this month's poojas, raising concerns over the availability of sufficient stock. Around six lakh tins were sold during the Thulam month poojas last year. Supplies were maintained without disruption by using aravana prepared in advance as a reserve stock.

The temple will open at 5 pm on October 17 for the Thulam month poojas and close on October 21. With the Navaratri festival also beginning during this period, schools will remain closed until the temple closes, according to the report. The combination is expected to bring a significant increase in the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine throughout the opening period. Officials reportedly estimate that at least 440 batches of aravana must be prepared before the temple opens.

Contract yet to be signed

Although a tender was issued in advance to procure rice and increase the reserve stock of aravana, the Travancore Devaswom Board has not yet signed an agreement with the contractors. Under the proposed contract, 1,400 tonnes of raw rice are to be supplied at a rate of Rs 51 per kilogram. The rice must arrive in time for the preparation of reserve stock.

With the new agreement still pending, Devaswom officials have instructed the previous contractor to supply 15,000 kg of rice. Officials estimate that this quantity could be used to prepare enough aravana for the Thulam month poojas. However, bills for rice supplied to the shrine during the Chingam and Kanni months have not yet been cleared. This, too, is reportedly likely to hinder further rice supplies.