Overview
- A reported shortfall of Aravana prasadam at Sabarimala has sparked protests by Ayyappa devotees and heightened concern among pilgrims about shrine services.
- The Travancore Devaswom Board told the Kerala Health Minister that technical maintenance at the Aravana prasadam plant caused the supply gap and that the situation would not recur.
- Health Minister K Muralidharan publicly questioned the timing of the renovation and said the state government is reviewing the matter while noting it cannot directly order action against the autonomous board.
- Ministers warned that if devotees face difficulties obtaining darshan or prasadam, political responsibility could extend beyond the Devaswom Board to the minister in charge and the state government.
- Aravana prasadam is the customary offering distributed to Ayyappa devotees and Mandala is a high-footfall season, so critics say plant work is normally done when the temple is closed and the current timing raises fresh doubts about operational readiness.