Aravana Production Resumes at Sabarimala; Daily Output to Reach 3.5 Lakh Tins
Sabarimala: Aravana production at Sabarimala resumed on Wednesday (October 14) after a month-long shutdown for renovation and capacity expansion of the production plant.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) said the plant will initially produce around 1.5 lakh tins daily, with output expected to increase to 3.5 lakh tins after October 20. The upgraded facility has a maximum production capacity of 3.65 lakh tins per day.
TDB president K. Jayakumar dismissed concerns over raw material shortages, assuring that adequate stocks were available for uninterrupted production. Around 4.5 lakh tins of Aravana are expected to be ready when the temple opens for the Thulam Masa pooja.
Earlier, Board officials said that 15,000 kg of raw rice required for Aravana production was scheduled to reach Pampa on October 12. The rice was to be transported to Sannidhanam following inspection by the Food Safety Department.
The resumption follows an Aravana shortage during the previous monthly pooja, when over three lakh tins were exhausted by the third day due to unexpectedly high pilgrim turnout, triggering protests and criticism of the Board.
Ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season beginning in November, the Board aims to maintain a buffer stock of over 50 lakh tins to meet rising demand.
Aravana remains a major revenue source for the TDB, generating over ₹180 crore during the previous pilgrimage season.