Sabarimala Prasadam Irregularities: ₹8.8 Lakh Alleged Financial Discrepancy in Aravana and Appam Distribution
Pathanamthitta: A vigilance investigation by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has reportedly uncovered alleged financial irregularities involving the distribution of Aravana and Appam prasadam at Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple.
According to the report submitted by the Devaswom Special Commissioner to the Kerala High Court, officials allegedly recorded a large quantity of Aravana and Appam as spoiled or destroyed to account for a shortage. However, the vigilance investigation reportedly found that the temple Prasadam had not actually been destroyed and were instead allegedly distributed free of cost to favoured individuals.
The alleged irregularity is estimated at around ₹8.8 lakh, according to the investigation findings.
7,594 Aravana tins recorded as destroyed
The records reportedly showed that 7,594 tins of Aravana, valued at approximately ₹7,59,400, had been destroyed after being classified as spoiled.
However, when vigilance officials inspected the Aravana production plant, they reportedly failed to find physical evidence corresponding to the quantity of Aravana claimed to have been destroyed.
The discrepancy raised suspicion over whether the products had actually been spoiled or had been diverted for other purposes.
Appam shortage also flagged
The investigation also identified discrepancies involving Appam. Records reportedly stated that 2,697 covers of Appam, valued at around ₹1,21,365, had been spoiled or ruined.
The vigilance inquiry reportedly found that the recorded figures were inconsistent with the actual situation at the production facility.
Incident during 2025 Mandala-Makaravilakku season
The alleged irregularities occurred during the 2025 Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, when Sabarimala faced a significant shortage of Aravana.
During the period, pilgrims were reportedly restricted to purchasing a maximum of five tins of Aravana per person because of the shortage.
Against this backdrop, the large quantity of Aravana allegedly shown as destroyed has raised serious questions regarding the handling and distribution of the temple offering.
Vigilance officials reportedly became suspicious after inspecting the production plant and finding no physical evidence of the quantities recorded as spoiled.
Experts also reportedly pointed out that in an automated production process, only a small percentage of products would normally be expected to be lost due to spoilage. The unusually high quantity recorded as destroyed therefore raised concerns over possible manipulation of records.
The findings have brought renewed scrutiny on the accounting, storage and distribution of Sabarimala's temple Prasadam and the internal controls followed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.