The Travancore Devaswom Board has started Aravana production for the ensuing Mandalam-Makaravilaku pilgrim season at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam on Tuesday. TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan inaugurated the Aravana preparation at a function held at the mechanised plant at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.
T.M. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, Sabarimala Melsanthi; Puthumana Manoj Namboodiri, Malikappuram Melsanthi; V.N. Chandrashekharan, Devaswom Executive Officer; and Dileepkumar, Administrative Officer; were present.
With the installation of the Italian-make Aravana filling and packing plant at Sabarimala, the total production capacity had risen to 3.25 lakh cans a day, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said.
He said there would not be any shortage of Aravana or Appam at Sabarimala this year. The devaswom was planning to keep a buffer stock of 30-lakh cans of Aravana by November 15. He said two lakh cans of Aravana would be produced a day till November 15.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan said the Annadana Mandapam halls at Sabarimala could accommodate 5,000 people at a time.
He said the TDB had taken extra care to ensure the quality of food offered to the pilgrims. He said the modern kitchen attached to the Annadana Mandapam would be ready by Vishu festival in April.
Last-minute arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrim season were under way in full swing at Sabarimala, Pampa, Nilackal, and Erumely, he said.