Sabarimala Vedivazhipadu Not a Traditional Ritual, Says Thantri; IB Flags Safety Issues
Thiruvananthapuram: The future of the Vedivazhipadu ritual at Sabarimala has become uncertain following a letter from the Thantri stating that the offering is not part of the temple’s traditional rituals and safety concerns raised by the Central Intelligence Bureau (IB).
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has not included Vedivazhipadu in the tender invited for the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The existing contract for the offering will expire on November 15.
According to the letter issued by Mahesh Mohanar, who was then serving as the Thantri, Vedivazhipadu has no place in the tantric rituals or established worship procedures of the temple and is believed to have been introduced over time as an offering made by devotees. Following this, the TDB may consider discontinuing the offering. The Board is also expected to hold discussions with the Pathanamthitta District Collector on the matter.
Around six months ago, two officials from the Central Intelligence Bureau visited Sannidhanam and collected details regarding Vedivazhipadu. They examined aspects including the location where explosives are stored, the manner in which they are handled, and the distance between the firing area and sections crowded with pilgrims. The officials reportedly indicated that Vedivazhipadu could not continue in its present form.
The IB also pointed out that the existing arrangements do not comply with the safety requirements prescribed under the Central Explosives Act of 1884 and the rules introduced in 2008.
The regulations require a specified minimum distance between an explosives storage facility and areas where people gather. Maintaining such a distance at Sannidhanam, where large numbers of pilgrims gather, is considered difficult in practice. The IB also referred to an incident three years ago in which explosives caught fire at Malikappuram, resulting in the deaths of two people.
The licence for conducting Vedivazhipadu is issued in the name of the Sabarimala Executive Officer. In the event of an accident, the Executive Officer would bear the legal responsibility.