Thiruvananthapuram: Devotees visiting the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala will soon be served traditional Kerala sadya as part of the temple’s annadanam (free food) programme, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced on Tuesday.

TDB president K Jayakumar explained that pulao and sambar, previously served at the hill shrine, were deemed unsuitable for devotees. “Money for annadanam is not taken from the Devaswom Board. It is the fund entrusted to the Board by the devotees to provide good food to the Lord Ayyappa pilgrims,” he said.

The new menu will include Kerala sadya along with payasam and pappadam, Jayakumar added, calling it a positive step to ensure quality food for pilgrims. He noted that the decision has been communicated to the officials and is expected to be implemented by Wednesday or Thursday.

Jayakumar also announced that a review meeting on December 18 will focus on the Sabarimala masterplan and preparations for the next annual pilgrimage. He added that while there were some initial issues in the ongoing pilgrimage season, the situation at Sabarimala is currently smooth, with arrangements progressing as planned.

Preparations for the next pilgrimage season are expected to begin by February 2026.

PTI