Sabarimala readies for the Maṇḍala-Makaravilakku season, with the Aravaṇa plant back in production
Kerala says its part is done and the Devaswom Board must now make sure the Aravaṇa and Appam prasādam does not run short.
- ThePrint (PTI)
- The Hindu
Kerala's Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan said on Thursday, 5 November, that the government had finished its share of preparations for the Sabarimala season. "Now, the entire responsibility rests with the Devaswom Board," he said after a review meeting at Pandalam.
Travancore Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar said the renovated Aravaṇa plant would start production that day. He said it can make up to 3.5 lakh containers a day, with 60 to 65 lakh expected by the start of the season.
The minister said at least 75 lakh containers would be needed, and that the current stock of 30 lakh was not enough. He said the government wanted to work with the board, not against it.
PTI gives 17 November as the start of the season, while The Hindu gives 16 November. At Pampa, a review chaired by Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar set out the arrangements.
Control rooms will run round the clock at Pampa, Nilackal and Sannidhānam. Twenty-two emergency medical centres will be ready along the routes by 10 November.
An off-road ambulance will serve the forest path for the first time, and toilets at Pampa and Sannidhānam will be free. About 1,000 sanitation workers will be deployed, and an AI-based parking system will start at Nilackal.
Key data
Aravaṇa capacity 3.5 lakh containers a day; 60 to 65 lakh expected at season start against 75 lakh needed; 22 medical centres; about 1,000 sanitation workers; crowd monitoring in 18 sectors at Sannidhānam.
Why it matters
Lakhs of Ayyappa devotees on the 41-day vratam journey depend on timely prasādam, safe routes and medical help. The figures show where the board still has to close the gap before the first day.
GK: did you know?
Sabarimala is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board, set up under the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950. Pilgrims climb the Patinettām Paṭi, the 18 sacred steps, to reach Ayyappa's sanctum.
