The gold theft controversy has exacerbated the pain felt by devotees, to the extent that many feel that Sabarimala will be a deciding factor in the assembly elections.
The core of the controversy involves the alleged theft of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols of the Sabarimala temple.
The festival will conclude with “aarattu” ceremony which will be held at aarattu kadavu on the bank of the Pampa, opposite of Pampa Lord Ganapathi temple
The TDB had earlier approached the district administration seeking urgent intervention to address the shortage during days when the temple remains open.
