SABARIMALA: Devaswom Board does not purchase sandalwood from the forest department for purposes including Kalabhabhishekam at Sabarimala. Tenders are not invited for a supply of sandalwood either. Though sandalwood is widely used, the Devaswom authorities have no answer as to where it is procured from.

Sandalwood auctions are held in Marayoor and Mysore in South India. Sandalwood auction is held only once a year at Marayur depot of Forest Department in Kerala. Here, sandalwood is offered for temple purposes for a small fee. Some temples including Mammiyoor and Kanady Madom participate in the auction. Although Guruvayoor temple does not participate in the auction, they will be given a certain amount of sandalwood as per the special order of the government. Forest department officials said that the Travancore Devaswom Board has never participated in this auction. The rule is that bidders should use sandalwood only for their respective temples. The question remains of how sandalwood is reaching Sabarimala.

Kerala Kaumudi had reported yesterday that the Devaswom Board is charging the full amount even if the devotees deliver the goods for Kalabhabhishekam directly. The Devaswom Board held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. President VS Prashanth, members G Sundaresan, Adv Ajikumar, Devaswom Secretary G Baiju, Sabarimala Executive Officer Krishna Kumar and others were present.

One and a half kilos of sandalwood for Kalabhabhishekam

Devotees perform Kalabhabhishekam for fulfilling prayers. One kg to one and a half kg of sandalwood is used for Kalabhabhishekam. A kilo of good sandalwood costs up to Rs 26,000 in Marayur. When sandalwood is mixed with saffron, raw camphor, rose water etc., and made into kalabham, it will cost more than 30,000 rupees. The Kalabhabhisheka offering costs Rs 38,400. Out of this 12500 rupees is the Devaswom fee. However, even if Kalabham is delivered directly, the entire amount will be demanded by the Devaswom Board.