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Sabarimala Vedi Vazhipadu Halted: Devaswom Board Prioritizes Wildlife, Devotee Safety!
- •The traditional 'Vedi Vazhipadu' (firecracker offering) at Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple has been permanently stopped.
- •Devotees historically used firecrackers to ward off wild animals and announce their arrival on the forest path.
- •Forest Department objected, citing excessive noise and vibrations from firecrackers as a threat to wildlife in Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- •Police warned of significant accident risks in storing and handling large quantities of explosives at the temple complex.
- •Travancore Devaswom Board made the decision considering wildlife welfare and the overall safety of millions of visiting devotees.
Key Questions Answered
The Travancore Devaswom Board removed the firecracker offering from this year's worship auction list to protect local wildlife within the Periyar Tiger Reserve and ensure the safety of millions of devotees. The Forest Department and police had raised strong objections regarding severe noise disturbances to animals and high accident risks associated with storing explosives.
Because Sabarimala is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the Forest Department strongly objected to the firecracker offerings, pointing out that excessive noise and vibrations pose a severe threat and disturbance to wild animals.
The Travancore Devaswom Board announced the cancellation. The primary concerns cited were the welfare and protection of wildlife in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, along with the safety risks of storing and handling large quantities of explosives in the temple complex.
