Devotees Ghee at Sabarimala: Devaswom Minister Writes to TDB to Ensure Quality Before Use; Joint Testing Labs Proposed
Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Devaswom K. Muraleedharan has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ensure the quality of ghee offered by devotees before it is used to prepare Appam and Aravana at Sabarimala.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
In a letter to TDB President K. Jayakumar, the Minister said strict quality checks are necessary as tens of thousands of devotees offer ghee through the Neyyabhishekam ritual. The ghee is collected in six large storage tanks, and samples must be taken and tested every time a tank is filled.
Muraleedharan proposed setting up joint testing laboratories at the hospitals in Sannidhanam and Pampa, with the participation of the Health, Food Safety and Forensic Medicine departments.
The Food Safety Department will conduct tests to detect adulteration, while the Health Department will check for contamination and the Forensic Medicine Department will examine the samples for toxic substances.
Three Samples From Each Storage Tank
The testing will be carried out using three samples collected from each storage tank. One sample will be tested at Sabarimala, while another will be sent to the central laboratory of the three departments for detailed examination. The third sample will be preserved in a freezer for any follow-up action that may be required.
The Minister directed that urgent steps be taken to make the laboratories operational before the beginning of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. He also asked the TDB to allocate funds for purchasing the required laboratory equipment and urgently arrange essential infrastructure, including electricity and water.
The TDB has also been asked to extend the necessary cooperation to the concerned departments to ensure the laboratories are set up on time.
Muraleedharan said ensuring the health and safety of devotees arriving at Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season is a joint responsibility of the State government and the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The proposed testing system is aimed at strengthening quality control of devotee-offered ghee before it is used in the preparation of Appam and Aravana, particularly ahead of the upcoming pilgrimage season.