Sabarimala Prasadam Shortage Sparks Clash Between Minister and Devaswom Board

A shortage of the popular Aravana prasadam at Sabarimala has created concern among pilgrims and led to sharp criticism from Kerala Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan. The issue surfaced during the Kanni month pooja, when the number of devotees visiting the hill shrine was higher than expected.

The shortage became particularly noticeable on Sunday. Authorities restricted each pilgrim to one tin of Aravana and three packets of Appam. The Aravana counters were also closed around 1:30 pm and reopened at 5 pm as stocks came under pressure. Reports said some devotees waited in queues for hours but still could not get the prasadam.

The Travancore Devaswom Board has linked the situation to maintenance and expansion work at the Aravana production plant. The project is intended to increase daily production capacity ahead of the Mandala Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, when demand is expected to rise significantly. The Board has also said that the work was planned to avoid a larger production problem during the main pilgrimage period.

According to Board officials, around 2.6 lakh tins of Aravana were prepared for the Kanni month pooja, which was about 50,000 more than the previous year. However, the stock fell rapidly because of the larger than expected pilgrim turnout. Reports on Monday indicated that the remaining stock had dropped sharply, with different reports giving figures ranging from about 5,000 to 14,000 tins at different points.

Muraleedharan has questioned why major work at the production facility was carried out while the temple was open to devotees. He said such maintenance could have been scheduled during the period when the shrine was closed, or an alternative arrangement should have been made to maintain prasadam supplies.

The minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the Travancore Devaswom Board over the shortage and said the government could consider raising its concerns before the Kerala High Court if necessary. He is also expected to discuss the issue with Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The possibility of forming a special team to oversee preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage season is also being considered.

The dispute has now brought attention to the planning and coordination required at Sabarimala ahead of the Mandala pilgrimage season, which begins on November 16. The immediate focus remains on maintaining sufficient prasadam supplies for devotees whenever the temple is open.

The Devaswom Board, meanwhile, maintains that the production plant work is part of preparations for the heavier demand expected during the main pilgrimage season. The contrasting positions have turned the prasadam shortage into an administrative issue, with the government seeking answers on planning while the Board points to the ongoing capacity expansion.

For thousands of Ayyappa devotees, however, the immediate concern has been much simpler: being able to obtain Aravana and Appam after completing their pilgrimage. With the Mandala season approaching, the episode has placed additional attention on the arrangements being made to prevent a similar shortage in the coming months.