Latest news with #TravancoreDevaswomBoard
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
TDB to take over unniyappam production at Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy temple
KOLLAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will directly take over the production of Unniyappam at the Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy Temple. The decision was taken at a meeting of Deputy Devaswom Commissioners convened by the board on May 21. A subsequent board meeting issued an order that included the procurement of an Unniyappam-making kit. The move comes in the wake of a report by the board's vigilance wing, which found irregularities in the preparation and distribution of the Unniyappam. The board clarified that media reports claiming the cancellation of the decision to take over production are incorrect. TDB officials stated that the aim is to ensure quality offerings for devotees. A similar measure was adopted during the previous Sabarimala pilgrimage season, when the board directly handled the production of Appam and Aravana at Nilakkal, Erumeli, and Pandalam Devaswom.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kerala's Ambalappuzha palpayasam to cost more
ALAPPUZHA: Come August, the legendary Ambalappuzha palpayasam will cost more. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to increase the price of the prasadam (consecrated food offering) served to devotees at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy temple to Rs 260 per litre from Rs 160. The quantity of palpayasam prepared will also be increased. Currently, 225 litres are prepared every day, which will be increased to 350 litres on Thursdays, Sundays and other auspicious days, and 300 litres on other days. Officials said the price of the palpayasam is being increased after 14 years. According to V J Sreekumar, koima sthani of the temple, the revision was decided by the TDB. 'Demand for the payasam has increased. However, production is controlled based on the direction of the Kerala High Court, to maintain sanctity,' he added. The palpayasam is distributed to devotees in adherence to norms prepared by the TDB and the HC. Of the 225 litres that is prepared daily, 70 litres is distributed to devotees who pre-book orders in one litre containers. Another 70 litres of the prasadam is offered daily on spot-booking basis in the same quantity. This is distributed at 11am every day after poojas. A further 60 litres is offered to devotees, half a litre each. The rest is used for temple rituals. One litre of the palpayasam is the most that a devotee can purchase, officials said. The TDB plans to introduce an online booking system for distribution of the prasadam. A directive has been issued to the devaswom deputy commissioner to introduce a mobile application for the purpose. Ninety litres will be made available for online booking after introduction of the app, officials said. The board has also initiated steps to make a larger varpu (bronze) vessel. A nearly 1,200-litre vessel will be required to prepare 350 litres of payasam. We will issue a tender for building the vessel, they said.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Thousands brave heavy rain, flock to Sabarimala temple for darshan
P'THITTA: Thousands of devotees flocked to Sabarimala to offer their prayers at the hill shrine on the first day of the Malayalam month Mithunam, undeterred by heavy monsoon rains. The rainfall began as the temple opened at 5 am on Sunday, yet many devotees bravely navigated the weather to seek blessings. Initially, darshan was facilitated directly from the temple's flagpole to the sreekovil. However, as the crowd grew, access was redirected via a flyover to accommodate the influx of devotees. The route from Pampa to Sannidhanam also faced heavy rainfall, leading authorities to issue precautionary guidelines before allowing devotees to proceed. In response to the rising water levels in the Pampa River, District Collector S Prem Krishnan has temporarily banned bathing at Pampa Triveni and entering the river until the rain warning is lifted. A statement from the Pamba executive magistrate reported the adverse weather conditions to district officials, noting that the Orange alert issued for Sunday and Monday, coupled with ongoing heavy rains, has significantly increased the water flow in the river. To ensure the safety of the devotees, vehicle parking in Thriveni has also been temporarily restricted. The Travancore Devaswom Board and police have implemented a range of safety measures, including enhanced monitoring and guidance along rain-affected routes. Authorities are advising devotees to exercise caution while traversing the Pampa-Sannidhanam route, as slippery conditions have been caused by the heavy rainfall.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Plea before Kerala HC: Does Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act cover all temples?
Kochi: High court has sought instructions from the state and Travancore, Cochin and Malabar devaswom boards on a petition seeking a declaration that the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988, applies to all religious institutions located within the jurisdictional limits of these boards, irrespective of whether the institutions are under their management. The petition was filed by N Prakash of Maradu, Ernakulam, who cited certain alleged incidents during the festival at Indilayappan Temple, Avanavanchery, Attingal, in April. According to the petitioner, singer Aloshi performed political songs during a 'Ghazal Night' event, and the play 'Ningalenne Communistakki' was staged on the temple premises on another day. Prakash submitted that a case was registered against Aloshi by police for allegedly singing political songs at the temple. He contended that these incidents had hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and sought action against the temple advisory committee, although the temple is not under the control of any devaswom board. He further alleged that slogans of the Communist Party were raised during a marriage ceremony at the Kailasa Mandapam of the Thali Maha Kshetram in Kozhikode. In a separate petition relating to political songs performed by Aloshi during the festival at the Kadakkal Devi Temple in Kollam, HC had earlier directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ensure that no political activities are permitted within the premises of temples under its management. The present petition seeks a similar directive to cover temples not administered by any devaswom board. HC has adjourned the matter for further consideration after two weeks.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TDP dissolves temple panel after RSS song, flag controversy during festival
KOLLAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has dissolved the advisory committee of the Manjippuzha Sree Bhagavathy Bhadrakali Temple following a controversy surrounding the performance of an RSS prayer song and the hoisting of political flags during the temple's annual festival. The decision came after an internal inquiry confirmed that the RSS Gana Geetham was sung during a music programme held in April as part of the festival. The concert was sponsored by Team Chhatrapati, a local group. Additionally, investigations revealed that the flags of the Bajrang Dal and RSS were hoisted within the premises of the Kottukkal Bhagavathy Bhadrakali Temple, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Manjippuzha Devaswom. According to the inquiry report, flagpoles were installed with the knowledge of certain committee members and temple staff. The TDB cited serious lapses by the advisory committee in both instances as grounds for its dissolution.
