Kerala HC Allows Price Hike for Aravana Offering at Sabarimala

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has permitted the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to increase the price of aravana vazhipadu from Rs 65 to Rs 85 at several key locations connected to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar said the revised price will apply at Achankovil, Aryankavu, Kulathupuzha, Erumely, Pandalam Valiyakoikkal and Nilakkal.

The order came after the TDB approached the court seeking revision of the rate. The Board explained that the price of raw materials used to prepare the prasadam, including jaggery and rice, has risen significantly since the last revision in 2021. It argued that maintaining the former price of Rs 65 would not be sustainable, especially when considering other expenses such as the cost of aravana production machinery. The Board requested the price be raised to Rs 85 for a 250-gram portion.

Aravana vazhipadu is a traditional sweet prasadam offered to Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala temple and at resting points along the pilgrimage routes. The state government told the court that distributing prasadam cannot be treated purely as a profit-driven business. It said there must be a balance between what devotees can afford and the financial realities faced by the Board.

The Department of Economics and Statistics submitted a comparative price report of raw materials from early 2021 and in 2025. The court reviewed this data and noted a clear increase in material costs. The Ombudsman had earlier recommended raising the price only to Rs 80, but the TDB stated that this level would still result in a financial loss.

After considering all submissions and reports, the court concluded that increasing the price to Rs 85 was justified and reasonable.