Kerala minister says Sabarimala board has assured adequate aravana supplies

Minister K. Muraleedharan said on October 11 that Sabarimala's temple board had assured Kerala authorities of sufficient aravana for the annual pilgrimage. A shortage had disrupted distribution during September's temple opening.

Muraleedharan said Travancore Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar had told him arrangements were in place to meet demand. Aravana is a sweet rice offering distributed to devotees at the temple.

A meeting chaired by the chief minister is scheduled for October 17, the minister told reporters. He and Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan also plan to visit the Lord Ayyappa temple next week to assess preparations directly.

Addressing reports that rice for making aravana was in short supply, Muraleedharan said Jayakumar had assured the government that stocks were adequate. The government intends to coordinate with the board on arrangements for a smooth pilgrimage.

Aravana ran short when the temple opened for its monthly rituals in September. Repair and renovation work at the production plant drew criticism from the minister.

Muraleedharan said the work should have been carried out while the temple was closed. The board president said stocks had initially been considered sufficient, but far more devotees arrived than expected.