Sabarimala ghee supply in a bind; TDB opens talks with Milma

Aravana prasadam (File photo)

With the Mandala-Makaravilakku season in Sabarimala barely a week away, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is turning to Milma once again to plug the gap in ghee supply after two rounds of tendering failed to find eligible bidders.

The board had invited bids for 50,000 litres of ghee but failed to find eligible suppliers. Though Milma did not participate in the tender, the TDB has been holding discussions with office-bearers of the Milma Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union.

TDB president K. Jayakumar said the board was yet to take a final call on procuring ghee from Milma for Aravana production and would seek legal advice before deciding on the matter.

Anticipated shortfall

According to him, the anticipated shortfall at the beginning of the season was only around 10,000 litres and there was no immediate cause for concern over availability. Ghee supplies were expected to increase once the temple opens on November 16, though the shortfall could affect production until then. Preparations for Aravana production are progressing, with the board currently holding a stock of 30 lakh tins. Arrangements are being finalised to produce 3.5 lakh tins daily.

“We are planning to produce another 30 lakh tins in the coming days. Appam production will also begin in a time-bound manner,” Mr. Jayakumar said.

Ongoing probe

Milma’s possible return as a supplier comes amid an ongoing Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) probe into the supply of spurious ghee to the Sannidhanam in its name last season. The investigation found that the contractor entrusted with transporting the ghee had diverted around 11,000 kg of Milma ghee meant for Sabarimala and replaced it with a cheaper product.

Meanwhile, the deadline for completing construction and other preparatory works, including maintenance, ahead of the season expires on Tuesday. Despite the TDB’s claims that preparations are complete, sources said several works at the Sannidhanam and Nilackal, including road reconstruction, remain unfinished and could take another week to complete.

Published - November 09, 2026 07:24 pm IST