Sabarimala Aravana Shortage.. Here’s the Reason!

A shortage of Aravana payasam, the popular prasadam at Sabarimala, has triggered differences between the Kerala government and the Travancore Devaswom Board. Authorities have restricted sales to one tin per devotee amid dwindling stocks. Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan expressed displeasure over the situation, stressing that prasadam should be available to devotees whenever the temple remains open.

The Travancore Devaswom Board said a 45-day project was undertaken to increase the daily production capacity of Aravana from around 2.5 lakh tins to 3.5 lakh tins ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The Board expects daily demand to rise to around 4–4.5 lakh tins during the season. Muraleedharan, however, said such work should have been carried out when the temple was closed or after making alternative arrangements for devotees. He said he would discuss the issue with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and consider approaching the High Court, along with the possibility of appointing a special team to oversee the upcoming pilgrimage season.