Temple ‘coconut breaking’ rituals hit by soaring prices in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram/Kottarakkara: The traditional temple offering of breaking coconuts ("Nalikera Udaykkal") is becoming more expensive across Kerala, as coconut prices in the local market continue to surge. The increased cost is impacting both devotees and vendors, though temple officials say offerings have not declined significantly in some places.

Coconut prices soar in Thiruvananthapuram

In Thiruvananthapuram, the price of coconuts has doubled in recent weeks. Once priced between ₹10 and ₹20, coconuts now cost anywhere from ₹20 to ₹40, depending on size. This rise has directly affected offerings at the iconic Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, where an estimated 10,000 coconuts are broken daily.

Of these, nearly half are sold by street vendors outside the temple. The smallest coconuts now sell for ₹20, with larger ones priced at ₹30 to ₹40.

Despite the hike, temple officials say the number of offerings has not declined. “Even though prices have gone up, devotees continue to offer coconuts in large numbers,” said a temple authority.

However, local vendors like Subaida, who sell coconuts near the temple, say they’re struggling with low profit margins.

Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy Temple sees drop in offerings

At the Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy Temple, the rising cost and reduced availability of coconuts have begun to take a toll. Temple sources report that the number of devotees offering coconuts has dropped by almost half.

Previously, between 1,250 to 2,000 kilograms of coconuts were broken daily. Now, that figure has fallen to just 750 to 1,000 kilograms.

Sales at the Devaswom-managed stall have also plummeted. Once selling 600 to 1,000 coconuts per day, the stall now moves only 100 to 300 daily.

A wholesale pooja supply store, which earlier sold around 14,000 coconuts per week, now sells just around 5,000. As prices rise, more devotees are choosing to buy coconuts elsewhere and bring them to the temple rather than purchasing on-site.