Sadya or Pulao? Sabarimala Thiruvonam Feast Sparks Questions as Devotee Shares Visuals of Sadya Being Served
 |
| Photo Credit: Karthick Sekaran |
Sabarimala: An Ayyappa devotee shared a video and photographs with SABARIMALA UPTODATE on August 26, 2026 (Thiruvonam day), showing Thiruvonam Sadya being served at the Annadana Mandapam at Sabarimala Sannidhanam.
The visuals shared by the devotee show the traditional feast being served at the Annadana Mandapam on Thiruvonam day. However, subsequent media reports alleged that the Thiruvonam feast was served only to special-duty employees and police personnel, while devotees were served pulao in the section designated for pilgrims.
The reports also alleged that although the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had announced that Thiruvonam Sadya would be arranged for devotees, clear instructions were not issued to the mess operators and the necessary arrangements were not made until the last moment. According to these reports, this led to the traditional feast, which has been held at Sannidhanam for nearly 70 years, not being served to devotees as in previous years.
The Devaswom Board reportedly pays mess operators ₹72 per person for three meals a day, with an additional ₹50 paid on days when a feast is served. However, the alleged lack of clear instructions regarding the Thiruvonam Sadya reportedly resulted in confusion over the arrangements.
The Thiruvonam feast at Sannidhanam has a history of around seven decades. It was started as an offering to Lord Ayyappa by the late Chellappanachari of Changanassery, as a prayer for the blessing of children. A portion of his income was set aside every month to organise the feast.
After his death, his son continued the tradition. The feast could not be held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was subsequently continued with the involvement of Devaswom employees.
Traditionally, the Melshanthi (chief priest) would arrange the feast on Uthradam, while police personnel would also organise an Onam feast on one day during the festival period.
The video and photographs shared by an Ayyappa devotee with SABARIMALA UPTODATE on August 26, 2026, the day of Thiruvonam, show Thiruvonam Sadya being served at the Annadana Mandapam at Sabarimala Sannidhanam.
The visuals have drawn attention amid media reports alleging that the traditional Thiruvonam Sadya was served only to special-duty employees and police personnel, while devotees were served pulao.
Ayyappa devotees have urged the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to clarify the arrangements and respond to reports concerning the traditional feast held on August 26.
TDB Dismisses Sabarimala Onam Sadya Allegations
Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President K. Jayakumar has dismissed as completely false reports claiming that devotees were not served the traditional Thiruvonam feast at Sabarimala.
He urged devotees not to be misled by false propaganda.
Jayakumar said the claim that the feast was restricted to employees and police personnel on duty was untrue. He stated that a sumptuous Thiruvonam feast was served to around 3,000 people who were present at Sannidhanam on the day.
He also pointed out that, for the first time in the temple's history, the TDB arranged the Thiruvonam feast entirely at its own expense, without sponsors or any form of collection. He added that many people had shared positive feedback about the arrangements.