Sabarimala Aravana crisis: Govt weighs High Court action against Devaswom Board

PATHANAMTHITTA/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom Minister K. Muralidharan has begun consultations with legal experts on approaching the Kerala High Court over the situation at Sabarimala and the alleged inaction of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The government plans to bring the current situation, including the absence of a buffer stock of Aravana, to the attention of the High Court's Devaswom Bench.

With just 54 days remaining for the pilgrimage season, the government has assessed that there have been serious lapses in preparations. It is also considering conducting the festival with special teams from various government departments. Muralidharan will hold discussions with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on the matter.

The government's move follows a Kerala Kaumudi report titled 'Aravana unavailable', which highlighted the shortage.

The Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season begins on November 16. To have a buffer stock of 40 lakh tins of Aravana for the pilgrimage season, production must begin by October 15 at the latest. However, the tender for jaggery has not yet been awarded. The Board must hold negotiations with the Kanpur-based company that quoted the lowest rate before the contract can be finalised.

The Board has also not invited tenders for procuring ghee this year, as it has decided to use the ghee brought by devotees for making Unniyappam and Aravana. This could also lead to a shortage.

Board functioning under strain

Following the Sabarimala gold theft case, officials have reportedly been reluctant to take decisions on files. The Devaswom Board meetings, which were held twice a week, have been reduced to once a week.

Senior officials have been opposing reforms proposed by the president. The Board has effectively become divided, with the president on one side and officials on the other. The other two members of the Board have not intervened in the matter.

Aravana plant work to take over a month

Several devotees were forced to return without Aravana from Sabarimala on Monday. The shortage was due to ongoing work to increase the production capacity of the Aravana plant.

Twenty-one vats have been dismantled and work is under way to construct the floor. An airtight roof must then be built, followed by construction of the Aravana plant. The work also involves installing 26 vats, along with connecting pipelines, cooling chambers and boilers.

Contractors estimate that the work will take more than a month. Aravana is therefore likely to remain in short supply even when the temple opens for the Thulamasa pooja.

Six lakh tins of Aravana were consumed during the Thulamasa period last year. At least nine lakh tins are expected to be required this year. With only 21 days remaining, the construction work cannot be completed within that period.

“We will have to take a tough stand against the Devaswom Board. The government is firm that no facility meant for devotees should be denied.”

— K. Muralidharan, Devaswom Minister