Minister flays stopping of appam production in Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Minister for Devaswom and Tourism Kadakampally Surendran on Tuesday flayed the decision of authorities at Lord Ayappa temple at Sabarimala to stop production of 'appam', one of the main prasadams supplied to devotees at the hill shrine.

"The action of authorities is unreasonable and appam production should not have been stopped when the Makaravilaku festival is progressing. The prasadam is prepared by rice bought by devotees and there is no need to doubt it's quality," he told reporters here today.

The minister said that food safety officials had some suspicion and the temple special commissioner acted immediately and stopped distribution of appam.

The High Court would be informed about the seriousness of the situation, he added.

'Appam' and 'Aravana are the two major kinds of prasadams devotees can collect from Sabarimala Temple.