Kochi: The Travancore Devaswom Board has introduced restrictions on the distribution of free Aravana prasadam at Sabarimala during the ongoing Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. Under the new decision, only 50,000 tins of Aravana will be distributed under the ‘free issue’ category during the season.
The Board’s decision, taken on October 27, was communicated to the Kerala High Court by its standing counsel. A special monitoring system has also been introduced to ensure proper accounting and transparency in the free distribution of Aravana.
The name and other details of every person receiving free Aravana must be entered in a dedicated register. The Board has instructed the Executive Officer to maintain these records and take full responsibility for the distribution.
Under the new guidelines, free Aravana cannot be issued to anyone without an application or authorisation slip provided by the Executive Officer. The move is intended to ensure that every distribution is properly documented and accounted for.
The restrictions follow a report by Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan, who had flagged irregularities in the distribution of Aravana and Appam under the free-issue category at Sabarimala, as well as shortcomings in maintaining distribution records.
Taking note of the report, the Kerala High Court had initiated suo motu proceedings. The court had earlier stressed the need for tighter controls, proper documentation, monitoring and clear accountability in the distribution of free prasadam.
After recording the Devaswom Board’s decision, the High Court’s Devaswom Bench disposed of the case. The bench comprised Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K. V. Jayakumar. Amicus curiae Sayooja Radhakrishnan also appeared before the court.
