Sadya to Be Served at Sabarimala on All Days of the Pilgrimage Season; ₹2 Lakh Insurance Cover for Pilgrims
Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to serve traditional Kerala Sadya as part of the free Annadanam service for pilgrims at Sabarimala throughout the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on Friday to review preparations for the pilgrimage season.
Under the revised Annadanam arrangements, devotees will be served Kerala-style Sadya with Payasam every day, replacing the Pulao currently served at noon. The Sadya will include more than six curries along with Payasam and Pappadam.
The Sadya will not be served on banana leaves. Instead, the TDB plans to purchase large steel plates for serving the meal to pilgrims.
The decision to provide Sadya to pilgrims comes weeks after Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan criticised the TDB over complaints that devotees were not served the customary Sadya on Thiruvonam day at Sabarimala.
Welcoming the latest decision, Muraleedharan said the Annadanam service would feature Sadya during the upcoming pilgrimage season.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
Earlier in June, the TDB had announced plans for a revised meal menu for the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Under the proposed arrangements, traditional Kerala Sadya with Payasam was planned for lunch, replacing Pulao, while breakfast would include South Indian dishes such as Idli and Upma. Kanji was planned for dinner as a light and easily digestible meal for pilgrims after a long day of pilgrimage.
₹2 Lakh Insurance Cover for Pilgrims
Another major decision taken at the meeting was to provide ₹2 lakh insurance coverage to the families of devotees who lose their lives while undertaking the Sabarimala pilgrimage.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
The TDB will introduce the insurance scheme in association with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
The revamped Annadanam arrangements are aimed at improving food quality and the overall meal experience for pilgrims during the busy Mandala-Makaravilakku season.