Amid shortage fears, Aravana production to resume at Sabarimala on October 14
The Travancore Devaswom Board is resuming Aravana production at the Sabarimala temple following plant upgrades to prevent supply shortages. Officials aim to build a significant buffer stock before the upcoming monthly puja and the annual pilgrimage season.
Why it matters
Ensuring the availability of temple offerings is critical for managing large-scale religious tourism and preventing public unrest during peak pilgrimage periods.
As concerns mount over a possible shortage of Aravana, a key offering at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is set to resume its production on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) after renovation and upgradation work at the plant.
Officials said 15,000 kg of raw rice would be transported to Pampa by Monday evening. A section of the Aravana plant at the Sannidhanam, where the upgradation work has been completed, is expected to resume operations on Wednesday morning after fumigation and cleaning.
The move comes amid fears that the shortage witnessed during the previous monthly puja could recur during the upcoming Thulamasa puja. Ahead of the five-day puja, the temple was reportedly left with just 27 sacks of rice, enough to produce 27,000 tins of Aravana. The board subsequently placed an order for raw rice, which will be transported to the Sannidhanam after quality checks.
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