Former Melsanthies at Sabarimala Allegedly Face Inconvenience Over Accommodation and Prasadam; Complaint Filed
SABARIMALA: A complaint has been raised alleging that 32 former Melsanthies who arrived at Sabarimala for offerings during the Kanni Masa poojas were made to face uncertainty and inconvenience over accommodation and prasadam at the shrine.
The former Melsanthies, under the leadership of the Melsanthi Samajam, had reached Sabarimala to perform Laksharchana, Lalitha Sahasranama Archana and Bhagavathi Seva at the Sannidhanam and Malikappuram. After paying ₹12,500 in advance to the Devaswom, they conducted Lalitha Sahasranama Archana and Bhagavathi Seva at Malikappuram on September 19, followed by Laksharchana at the Ayyappa shrine on September 20.
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| Rituals at Sabarimala by Former Melsanthies During Kanni Masa |
According to a complaint submitted to the Devaswom Minister and the Travancore Devaswom Board President by Melsanthi Samajam President Puthumana Manu Namboothiri and Secretary Madavana Parameswaran Namboothiri, the Devaswom Board had issued an order to provide them with a room and prasadam free of cost. However, they alleged that they were kept waiting for hours without clarity regarding the arrangements.
The complaint further states that although ₹10,000 was paid at the Devaswom Accommodation Office, only a hall was allotted, without basic facilities such as cots or mats. The representatives have sought action over the alleged difficulties faced by the former Melsanthies during their visit to Sabarimala.