Cooking gas shortage: Temples also in crisis

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The shortage of cooking gas has started affecting temple activities in Kerala. Authorities are now considering limiting some offerings and food services. Administrative officers have informed the Travancore Devaswom Board that offerings such as annadanam, payasam, and unniyappam may have to be reduced if the shortage continues. Officials also warned that a prolonged shortage could affect the Sabarimala Temple as well.

Cooking gas is used to prepare offerings in 26 major temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board. The crisis is most severe at Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Swamy Temple. At this temple, around 100 kg of rice is used daily to prepare food for bali tharpanam, and 75 kg of rice is used for annadanam. In addition, payasam made with about 15 kg of rice is prepared every day and sold to devotees.

With cooking gas becoming unavailable, the temple has considered using firewood stoves. However, the administrative officer said it would be difficult to prepare such a large quantity of offerings using this method.

Similar problems are being reported in other major temples such as Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Malayalappuzha Devi Temple, and Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Temple, where offerings like unniyappam and annadanam may also have to be limited. Most temples cannot install firewood stoves near their temple kitchens. At the Kottarakkara Ganapathi Temple, only one out of nine stoves currently uses firewood.

The shortage could also affect temples at Pamba and Nilakkal, which serve pilgrims visiting Sabarimala.

Meanwhile, the temple doors of Sabarimala Temple have opened for the Meena month rituals. While steamers powered by diesel are used at the temple, hotels in the Sabarimala area rely completely on cooking gas. The use of firewood stoves has been restricted by the forest department in Sabarimala and Pamba. If the shortage continues, shops and temple facilities in the Sabarimala area could face serious difficulties.

The temple will reopen again on March 22 for the annual festival. Around 60,000 devotees are expected during the monthly rituals, while nearly one lakh devotees may visit daily during the festival season.

With pilgrims already starting to arrive, the absence of functioning shops and food facilities in the Sannidhanam area could create major difficulties for devotees.