SABARIMALA: The traditional Vedivazhipadu at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple has been excluded from this year’s Devaswom Board auction following objections from the Forest Department over its potential impact on wildlife.
Sabarimala is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, and the Forest Department had raised concerns over the repeated sound of gunshots generated during the offering throughout the pilgrimage season.
According to the department’s concerns, the continuous noise could disturb wild animals and affect their natural habitat. The Devaswom Board considered the objection and decided not to include Vedivazhipadu in this year’s auction.
The decision comes despite the availability of permissions and safety-related clearances concerning the storage of the explosive material used for the ritual.
Permission to Store 500 kg of Explosives
The Devaswom Board reportedly had permission from the Explosives Controller in Chennai to store up to 500 kg of explosive material. The relevant licence issued by the District Collector was also valid.
The contractor associated with Vedivazhipadu had reportedly undergone the required examination at the Explosives Controller’s office in Kochi and obtained the necessary certificate.
The building used to store the explosive material is located in an area away from where pilgrims normally gather. Fire and Rescue Services personnel and police had inspected the facility and carried out safety checks, according to the report.
A team involved in detecting illegal storage of explosives at quarry sites had also inspected the explosive storage facility at Sabarimala.
However, despite these permissions and safety inspections, the Forest Department’s concerns over the impact of repeated gunshot sounds on wildlife were given priority in the decision.
With Sabarimala situated inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, authorities are seeking to minimise disturbances to the surrounding wildlife habitat during the pilgrimage season. The Vedivazhipadu has therefore been left out of the Devaswom Board’s auction this year.
The decision highlights the balance authorities are seeking between managing traditional offerings at the major pilgrimage centre and protecting the sensitive forest ecosystem surrounding Sabarimala.
