Production of Aravana continues in Sabarimala

The production of aravana is done in a mechanized plant at Sabarimala Sannidhanam. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

Production of Aravana at Sabarimala resumed on Wednesday (October 14) morning after a month-long shutdown due to renovation and capacity expansion of the manufacturing plant.

According to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the unit will initially produce around 1.5 million cans per day, with production expected to rise to around 3.5 million cans per day after October 20. At full capacity, the plant can produce between 3.25 and 3.65 million cans a day, the council said.

TDB President K. Jayakumar dismissed reports of shortage of rice and other raw materials, saying that adequate stocks were available and all arrangements were made to ensure uninterrupted production.

“There is nothing to worry about. Everything is in place and production has resumed. When the temple opens for Thulam pooja, around 4.5 million cans of Aravana will be available. Production will continue on a large scale,” he said.

The board’s assurance comes amid fears that the shortage witnessed during the previous month’s pooja could be repeated during the upcoming five-day Thulamasa pooja. More than three lakh cans were stocked for the previous month’s pooja, but the stock ran out by the third day as the turnout of devotees exceeded expectations.

The shortage sparked widespread protests among devotees and escalated into a political controversy, with the Devaswom minister openly criticizing the board’s leadership for not ensuring adequate supplies. The dispute was finally resolved after the intervention of the Chief Minister.

The board is also racing to stock up ahead of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, which begins in November. It has set a target of maintaining a buffer stock of more than 50 million cans.

Aravana, a sweet offering made of rice, jaggery and ghee, is one of the board’s main sources of income, generating over Rs 180 crore during the previous pilgrimage season.

Published – 14 Oct 2026 19:43 IST