THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 22, 2026: The Kerala government is considering approaching the Kerala High Court over the recent shortage of Aravana prasadam at Sabarimala, with Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan seeking legal advice on the issue and the arrangements for the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
The shortage occurred during the five-day Kanni monthly pooja that began on September 16. Authorities restricted pilgrims to one tin of Aravana and three packets of Appam as stocks declined. Reports said devotees had to wait for extended periods and some pilgrims reportedly left without receiving the prasadam.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) attributed the shortage to maintenance and capacity-expansion work at the Aravana production plant. The plant was shut temporarily as part of a project intended to increase daily production capacity ahead of the main pilgrimage season.
According to TDB President K. Jayakumar, the Board had produced around 3.25 lakh tins as reserve stock before shutting the plant. He said the number of devotees during the monthly pooja was significantly higher than anticipated, contributing to the shortage.
The government, however, has questioned whether the production work should have been carried out while the temple was open without ensuring adequate alternative arrangements. The Devaswom Minister said devotees should be able to obtain prasadam whenever the shrine is open.
The government is also examining a proposal to seek court approval for a special administrative arrangement for the annual pilgrimage. One proposal under consideration is a committee headed by an IAS officer, with the Pathanamthitta district collector also included in the proposed arrangement. Legal advice has been sought before any request is made to the High Court.
The issue has drawn particular attention because the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season begins in mid-November, when demand for Aravana and other prasadam is expected to increase substantially. The TDB has said the ongoing plant work is aimed at raising production capacity before the season.
The government and the Devaswom Board have therefore presented different explanations for the shortage: the government has focused on planning and reserve-stock concerns, while the Board has pointed to an unexpected increase in pilgrim numbers and the temporary shutdown of the production facility. Further decisions on possible High Court intervention are expected after consultations with the Chief Minister and legal advisers.
