PATHANAMTHITTA: The Aravana crisis at Sabarimala is deepening as the Travancore Devaswom Board continues to restrict distribution to one tin per pilgrim. The move comes at a time when a massive influx of devotees has rapidly reduced the reserve stock, while production remains suspended due to renovation and maintenance work at the Aravana plant.
When the Sabarimala temple opened for the Kanni month poojas, the Devaswom Board had around three lakh tins of Aravana in reserve. However, the stock has declined rapidly after the number of pilgrims arriving at Sannidhanam exceeded expectations over the past few days.
The restriction has triggered protests among devotees. Pilgrims who reached the Aravana counters were informed that only one tin would be issued per person. Several devotees reportedly complained that they had waited in long queues before learning about the restriction. Similar protests had also taken place at the Aravana counters on the previous day.
The latest restriction marks a significant reduction from the normal limit of three tins per pilgrim. According to the Devaswom Board, the decision was taken to ensure that the available stock reaches the maximum possible number of devotees during the heavy pilgrimage rush.
Adding to the pressure is the shutdown of the Aravana production plant. Production has stopped as renovation and maintenance work continues. The existing mechanised facility has a production capacity of around two to 2.25 lakh tins a day.
The Devaswom Board plans to increase the plant’s production capacity after the modernisation work is completed. Until then, however, authorities are dependent on the available reserve stock.
The Board said the unusually heavy pilgrim turnout during the past three days has been a major factor behind the rapid depletion of Aravana stocks. With fresh production currently unavailable, the remaining stock is being distributed under restrictions.
Reports indicate that the reserve stock could be completely exhausted today if the present situation continues. This could create difficulties in supplying Aravana to pilgrims arriving at Sabarimala thereafter.
The Devaswom Board has said the restriction is temporary and that Aravana production will resume after the renovation work is completed. For now, however, the combination of heavy pilgrim traffic, falling reserves and halted production has put Aravana distribution under significant pressure, leaving devotees facing restrictions at the counters.
