Sabarimala pilgrims to get Rs 2 lakh life insurance cover for first time; TDB announces new scheme

Thiruvananthapuram: In a first-of-its-kind initiative ahead of the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced a life insurance scheme providing Rs 2 lakh in coverage to the families of devotees who die during their pilgrimage.

The scheme, introduced in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), was announced by TDB president K Jayakumar on Friday (October 30), following a board meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.

The initiative comes ahead of the annual pilgrimage season beginning on November 17 and marks the first time the board has extended life insurance coverage to Sabarimala pilgrims. Previously, devotees were covered under an accident insurance scheme.

"It is for the first time that life insurance coverage is being introduced for Sabarimala pilgrims. Accident insurance coverage was provided to pilgrims earlier. It is a landmark decision, and I consider it an achievement of our board," Jayakumar said.

According to Jayakumar, the entire insurance premium will be paid by the TDB from its Welfare Fund, ensuring that pilgrims do not have to bear the cost of the coverage.

The board expects to spend approximately Rs 1 crore on insurance premiums during the pilgrimage season.

As part of the arrangements, pilgrims will be required to provide the name of their nominee and specify their relationship with the nominee while booking through the virtual queue system.

The Rs 2 lakh insurance benefit will be extended to the nominee or family of a pilgrim who dies during the pilgrimage, subject to the scheme's applicable terms.

Addressing concerns over the availability of Aravana prasadam, Jayakumar assured devotees that adequate stocks would be maintained throughout the pilgrimage season.

He said around two lakh tins of Aravana were currently being produced daily, with manufacturing operations continuing round the clock.

A newly constructed production facility is expected to become operational on November 3 or 4, further increasing the board's production capacity.

The TDB aims to maintain a buffer stock of 50 lakh to 60 lakh tins before the commencement of the 41-day Mandala season.

Aravana, a traditional sweet offering made primarily from rice and jaggery, is among the most sought-after prasadam items at Sabarimala.

The board is also strengthening facilities to accommodate the large number of devotees expected during the pilgrimage season.

Reception desks will be established at Nilakkal and Pampa to provide assistance and information to pilgrims.

Jayakumar said infrastructure development, maintenance and repair works were progressing at Sabarimala and were expected to be completed before November 10.

The board is making arrangements to ensure that essential facilities are ready before the pilgrimage season begins.

Jayakumar also addressed the proposed digitisation initiative at Sabarimala, stating that the TDB would implement the project directly.

He said the role of the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA), a state-run agency, in the initiative would be examined.

"We are taking precautions to ensure that the project does not go off track," he said.