Thiruvananthapuram,18 Oct (H.S.): Keralam Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan has expressed dissatisfaction with preparations by the Travancore Devaswom Board for the Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, raising concerns over crowd management, unfinished maintenance and arrangements for adequate prasadam supplies.

His criticism came a day after Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan and the minister visited pilgrimage centres and held review meetings to assess facilities and preparedness.

Muraleedharan said renovation and repairs at the aravana production plant remained incomplete. He also flagged inadequate coordination between the Devaswom Board and police in regulating pilgrims, describing crowd control and uninterrupted distribution of appam and aravana as his principal concerns.

The minister said he was not fully satisfied with measures taken to ensure prasadam availability. Even the contract for procuring rice for prasadam production had yet to be finalised, he pointed out.

“I have been informed that work on the plant will be completed and production will begin by November 5,” he said, adding that the board had been instructed to give these matters particular attention.

Following the review meeting, the Chief Minister had said arrangements concerning temple rituals and prasadam production were entirely under the board’s control. The board president had assured the government that pilgrims would face no shortage of prasadam or other facilities at the Sannidhanam.

Muraleedharan said around 29,000 pilgrims reached the Sannidhanam on Saturday ahead of the Thulam monthly pujas. About two lakh tins of aravana were currently available in stock.

He directed the board to remain vigilant until the temple closes on October 22 and strengthen arrangements before the Mandala season begins.

Acknowledging delays in completing temple maintenance, the minister said the government was carrying out its responsibilities. He stressed that pending work and coordination issues required attention to ensure that the pilgrimage arrangements could meet the demands of the large crowds expected during the coming season.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman