Sabarimala Faces Aravana Shortage; Devotees Protest as Sales Are Restricted at Distribution Counters
The Devaswom Board stated that the restriction was imposed because the number of devotees was higher than expected.
Thiruvananthapuram: A shortage of Aravana and Appam at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam led to protests among devotees on Friday, with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) imposing restrictions on the quantity of offerings distributed to each person.
Initially, devotees were allowed to purchase up to three tins of Aravana. However, as the available stock came under pressure, the limit was further reduced. By around 9 PM, devotees were reportedly allowed only one tin of Aravana and five Appams per person.
The restrictions caused dissatisfaction among pilgrims, particularly those who had waited in long queues before being informed of the reduced availability. The situation also led to police intervention to maintain order near the distribution counters.
The TDB said the restrictions were necessitated by the higher-than-expected number of devotees at Sabarimala. The Aravana production plant is currently undergoing renovation, and production has been temporarily halted. Aravana is presently being distributed from the available reserve stock.
The Aravana plant currently has a production capacity of around 2.25 lakh tins per day. Once the ongoing renovation is completed, the capacity is expected to increase to approximately 3.5 lakh tins per day.
According to the TDB, the number of devotees arriving at Sabarimala on Friday was higher than anticipated, leaving the Board with insufficient stock to maintain the usual distribution limit of three tins per person.
Reports have also attributed the shortage to the ongoing production-related constraints at the Aravana plant. The issue has raised questions about the availability of offerings during periods of higher pilgrim footfall.
The development comes during Kanni Masam, which is generally considered a comparatively less crowded period at Sabarimala. Concerns have consequently been raised in reports about managing the significantly higher number of devotees expected during the upcoming Thula Masam and Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
The immediate focus, however, remains on restoring adequate supplies of Aravana and Appam and ensuring smoother distribution for devotees at the Sannidhanam.