Sabarimala Faces Aravana Sales Crisis Due to Tin Shortage; Restrictions Imposed

Due to a tin shortage, the Sabarimala Devaswom Board has faced a crisis in aravana (sweet offering) sales, leading to restrictions allowing individuals to purchase only two tins. The shortage has caused disappointment among pilgrims, resulting in disputes and arguments at sales counters. The contracts for supplying 30 lakh containers were awarded to two new companies on December 26. However, delays in production and a lack of sufficient stock have exacerbated the situation, with only 1 lakh containers delivered by the companies so far. To address the crisis, the board initially limited aravana sales to 10 tins per person, which has now been further reduced to two.

In response to the ongoing tin shortage affecting aravana sales at Sabarimala, the Devaswom Board has imposed restrictions, allowing individuals to purchase only two tins. The shortage has led to disappointments among pilgrims, resulting in frequent arguments and disputes at sales counters. The contracts for supplying 30 lakh containers were awarded to two new companies on December 26, but delays in production and insufficient stock have exacerbated the issue. The board initially limited aravana sales to 10 tins per person in response to the crisis, and this has now been further reduced to two. To address the situation, two contracted companies are expected to deliver five lakh containers daily, starting from Friday, according to PS Prasanath, President of the Travancore Devaswom Board.