6.5 lakh aravana tins stockpiled in Sabarimala; No place for fresh ones, Rs 6.65 crores loss

PATHANAMTHITTA: No decision has been made to dispose of the unused six and a half lakh aravana tins stockpiled at Sabarimala. With only three days remaining for Mandalakala Pujas, a new location must be found to store the freshly prepared ones.

Devaswom Board President K Anantha Gopan stated that action will be taken soon, leaving the decision in the hands of the government. A company has been contacted to manage the damaged aravana. The President has also submitted a letter to the government and the Devaswom Minister urging the removal of the aravana.

Currently stored near Malikappuram, legal proceedings concerning the pesticide levels in cardamom used in the aravana have led to this accumulation. In the godown, 6.65 lakh tins of damaged aravana causing a loss of Rs 6.65 crore await resolution. Despite the Supreme Court's directive to destroy the damaged aravana, no action has been taken. Burial in the forest is prohibited by the forest department fearing wild elephants attracted by the smell of the damaged aravana.

The temple is set to open on the 16th at 5 pm for the Mandalakala pilgrimage. Sabarimala Melshanthi Muvattupuzha Enanallur Puthillathmana PN Mahesh and Malikappuram Melshanthi Thrissur Thozhiyur Vadakkekkattu Pookattumana PG Murali will arrive at the temple on the evening of the 16th.