Sabarimala aravana shortage: Keralam Devaswom Minister says will take ‘aggressive stand’ against TDB if required

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Keralam Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan on Thursday said that he would take an “aggressive stand” against the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in situations where devotees’ interests are affected, citing the shortage of aravana prasadam when the Sabarimala temple was open recently.

Mr. Muraleedharan, speaking to reporters, said that he has appointed a dedicated ADM for Sabarimala and he will be going there to collect all details regarding stock of raw materials, like jaggery and coconut oil, used in making prasadam.

He said the step was being taken following claims of shortage in raw materials, and that based on the ADM’s report, the government will take further steps.

The Minister further said, “Where an aggressive stand is required to be taken, I will take it. I will not allow anyone to play around with devotees. If aravana and appam are not provided properly to devotees then an aggressive stand will have to be taken.”

He also said that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has not told him not to take an aggressive stand.

Mr. Muraleedharan said that Mr. Satheesan would be visiting Sabarimala during the ‘Thula maasam’ which begins on October 18, 2026 and ends on November 16, 2026.

Meanwhile, BJP Keralam president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Congress-led UDF government of not doing anything for the Sabarimala devotees and instead being engaged in a row with the TDB over the temple’s functioning.

He said that during the Assembly poll campaign, the Congress-led UDF had “heavily campaigned” using Lord Ayyappa’s name. “But they are not doing anything now for Sabarimala devotees. They are only engaged in a row with the Devaswom board,” he said.

Regarding reports of a gold crown going missing from Sabarimala, the Minister said TDB president K. Jayakumar has claimed that it is present in the temple.

On the issue of medicines availability at government hospitals, Mr. Muraleedharan rejected allegations that sufficient stock of anti-rabies vaccine is not available.

He said that there is sufficient stock of anti-rabies vaccine and other essential medicines in government hospitals.

He also said that hospitals have been permitted to buy any medicine in short supply through ready stock purchase.

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