SABARIMALA: The Aravana distribution in Sabarimala returned to older ways after a brief stoppage due to contamination. The high court on Wednesday ordered the Travancore Devasom board to immediately suspend the distribution of Aravana made with pesticide-laced cardamom.

After the restart of the service, almost 2 lakhs tins of aravana got sold in no time. The court order specified no distribution of aravana from morning 11 to evening 5. The restarted service was from, next morning 3;30. Daily, 2.40 lakh tins are made which is attracting unprecedented demand.

In the wake of petta thullal and makaravilakku to be held in the coming days, a huge rush of pilgrims climbing the hill towards the shrine is observed. The inflow of pilgrims is instilling fear among the authorities as the reserved stocks of aravana tins available are not sufficient to meet the humungous demand.

Almost 6 lakh tins of aravana got sealed and shifted to godown after a high court order this time. If such is the rush, the authorities may have to alter ways to meet the demand. The aravana counter at sannidhanam works from morning 3:30 to 11 am.