Thiruvananthapuram: Differences have emerged between TDB president K Jayakumar and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan over serving Onam sadya (feast) to devotees at Sabarimala, with the former on Thursday saying the traditional spread was served while the minister claimed that devotees were instead given pulao.
During the three days of Onam celebrations, voluntary organisations at Sabarimala follow the tradition of serving sadya to devotees.
Recently, reports emerged that sadya was served to officials and police personnel on Thiruvonam day while pulao was served to devotees.
Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan ordered an official probe into what he cited as administrative and coordination failures. His actions followed widespread allegations that ordinary pilgrims trekking to the hill shrine were denied the grand traditional feast—getting only a basic pulao—while the actual sadya was restricted strictly to on-duty police and special staff.
TDB President K Jayakumar publicly rejected the minister’s stance, stating that the minister “may have been misinformed”. Jayakumar stated that no lapse occurred, clarifying that while the board initially decided against making the feast, they ultimately arranged it directly at the employees’ mess. According to the TDB, the sadya was successfully served to 3,000 pilgrims alongside the deployed staff.
