Sabarimala's Traditional Feast in Legal Limbo

The Travancore Devaswom Board will decide on serving traditional sadya at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple after legal review. Currently, pulav is served to pilgrims, but a committee is assessing the implications of replacing it with sadya. The final decision is expected post-report submission.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is set to make a crucial decision regarding the serving of traditional sadya as part of annadanam at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. The decision will be made following a meeting scheduled on December 5, according to TDB President K Jayakumar.

Currently, pilgrims are served pulav as the noon meal, but plans to serve sadya, which includes traditional delicacies and payasam, faced delays. A contract to serve pulav throughout the season complicates the shift. A committee led by the Devaswom Commissioner is investigating the legal and logistical challenges of this potential switch.

Additionally, efforts are being made to keep the River Pampa clean, with workers deployed to collect discarded clothes. Police and home guard personnel are also stationed at the river to prevent pollution, following High Court directives.

(With inputs from agencies.)