Thiruvananthapuram: A new aravana container manufacturing plant will be set up at Nilakkal with construction expected to begin by the end of September. This initiative, under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model, aims to enhance the supply of aravana to temples, including Sabarimala.

In the initial phase, the containers will be distributed to Sabarimala, Pampa, Nilakkal and Erumely temples. According to Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prashanth, once the plant is fully operational, containers will also be supplied to other temples, including Malayalapuzha Devi Temple and Sree Krishna Swamy Temple in Ambalapuzha. 

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Currently, the Devaswom Board purchases around two crore containers annually, each costing Rs 6.42. The total investment required to establish the factory in Nilakkal is approximately Rs 3.5 crore.

Since the project is being undertaken under the BOT model, the board will not incur any financial liability. The Tata Group which is acting as a sponsor has identified a location for the plant in Nilakkal. 

As the Devaswom Board has limitations in directly establishing the plant, it is relying on the BOT model for the project. The shortage of containers during the pilgrimage season had previously impacted the sale of aravana at Sabarimala.