Sadya or pulao? TDB chief, Devaswom Minister clash over Sabarimala Onam feast

Sabarimala: A disagreement has emerged between Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president K Jayakumar and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan over the food served to devotees at Sabarimala during the Onam celebrations.

While Jayakumar said the traditional Onam sadya was served to around 3,000 people, Muraleedharan claimed that devotees were served pulao, while officials and police personnel were given sadya.

Voluntary organisations at Sabarimala traditionally serve sadya to devotees during the three-day Onam celebrations. Reports had recently alleged that sadya was served to officials and police personnel on Thiruvonam day, while devotees were given pulao.

Rejecting the reports, Jayakumar said on Thursday that there had been no major failure in the arrangements.

“Describing this as an incident where a major failure occurred is contrary to the truth. I can say that with full authority. Many people have been misled. The minister has received an incorrect report. We can explain the details of what happened. Other than that, I do not feel any failure has occurred,” he said.

Jayakumar said the police, who traditionally organise the sadya voluntarily, had not taken it up this time.

“But why didn’t the police conduct the sadya? Because we cannot force them; they conduct it voluntarily. The Melshanthi (chief priest) did not show interest. It was under those circumstances that we took it up,” he said.

However, Muraleedharan stood by his claim when reporters drew his attention to Jayakumar’s remarks. He said several people had brought the matter to his notice and had also shown him photographs.

“Moreover, why break a tradition that has been followed for years? The Devaswom Board can make claims, but that was not how it was done,” the minister said.

Muraleedharan said the traditional sadya had been limited to Thiruvonam day and questioned the manner in which food was served to devotees.

“The sadya was restricted only to Thiruvonam day. Secondly, two different types of food were seen being served. They even showed me photographs of yellow curry poured over rice, calling it ‘pulao’. Isn’t that wrong? Is that how an Onam sadya should be served?” he asked.

The minister stressed that the traditional practice should be maintained.

“Sadya on Uthradam, Thiruvonam and Avittom days has always been customary. What was gained by stopping it? Our point is that the Devaswom Board must correct this,” Muraleedharan said.