A high-stakes controversy surrounding the administration of the renowned Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa shrine intensified after Kerala's Minister for Devaswom raised serious concerns over the alleged diversion of sacred ghee, directly implicating personnel from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

The issue centers on the sacred 'Neyyabhishekam' ritual, in which millions of pilgrims offer pure ghee brought inside traditional 'Irumudi kettu' packets. Accusations of large-scale pilferage and diversion of sanctified ghee meant for prasad and ritual offerings have triggered widespread public outrage across Kerala and neighboring states.

Minister Highlights Internal Collusion

Addressing the media regarding recent administrative audits and discrepancies, the Devaswom Minister stated that preliminary findings point toward deliberate lapses and complicity by several board employees deployed at the hilltop shrine.

According to the minister, unauthorized channels appear to have facilitated the diversion of high-grade ghee away from ritual counters into secondary handling points, undermining the sanctity of the temple processes and causing substantial revenue leaks.

"The sanctified offerings provided by devotees must remain inviolable. Strict and uncompromising action will be taken against anyone found guilty of diverting temple property, regardless of their rank within the Devaswom administration," official statements underscored.

Comprehensive Vigilance Probe Underway

Following the minister's assertions, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and the internal Devaswom Vigilance wing have escalated inquiries into the supply chains and storage facilities operating at Sannidhanam.

Key areas under immediate scrutiny include:

* Discrepancies in Stock Registers: Audit gaps between the total quantity of ghee brought by pilgrims for abhishekam and the recorded distribution volume. * Storage and Logistics Chains: Monitoring the movement of clarified butter containers from the sanctum sanctorum down to processing and packaging units. * Administrative Oversight: Identifying duty officers and supervisors stationed at crucial counters during peak pilgrimage intervals.

Pressure Mounts on Travancore Devaswom Board

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the daily functioning and logistics of the hill shrine, faces growing scrutiny from devotee collectives and opposition political factions demanding total transparency.

Devotee associations have called for digital tracking systems and end-to-end automated monitoring to eliminate manual handling at the Neyyabhishekam counters. With the annual pilgrimage season drawing massive footfall, authorities are moving swiftly to conclude disciplinary proceedings and reinforce security protocols across all offering counters.