Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Sabarimala board discusses ghee supply with Milma after tenders fail
The Travancore Devaswom Board is discussing ghee supply with Milma ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku season at Sabarimala in Kerala.
The board sought bids for 50,000 litres, but two tender rounds found no eligible suppliers.
It expects a shortfall of about 10,000 litres at the start of the season, and says there is no immediate concern about availability.
Ghee is used to make Aravana prasadam, and the temple is due to open on November 16.
The board has 30 lakh tins in stock and plans to make another 30 lakh, with production arrangements set for 3.5 lakh tins a day.
The possible return of Milma as a supplier comes during a probe that found about 11,000 kg of Milma ghee was diverted and replaced with a cheaper product last season.
The board has not made a final decision on buying from Milma and will seek legal advice; some preparatory work is also reported to remain unfinished.
The Travancore Devaswom Board is discussing a possible ghee supply arrangement with Milma after two rounds of tendering found no eligible bidders.
The board sought bids for 50,000 litres of ghee.
TDB president K. Jayakumar said the board had not made a final decision and would seek legal advice.
The expected shortfall at the start of the Sabarimala season is around 10,000 litres, according to Jayakumar.
The temple is due to open on November 16, and the board holds 30 lakh tins of Aravana prasadam.
- Who
- The Travancore Devaswom Board and Milma.
- What
- They are discussing ghee supplies for Aravana production after two tender rounds failed to find eligible bidders.
- When
- The discussions are reported on November 9, 2026, ahead of the season opening on November 16.
- Where
- Sabarimala, at the temple in Kerala.
- Why
- The board anticipates a ghee shortfall after failing to find eligible suppliers through tenders.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A contractor diverted around 11,000 kg of Milma ghee intended for Sabarimala and replaced it with a cheaper product, according to the ongoing investigation.
Two rounds of tendering for 50,000 litres of ghee failed to find eligible bidders.
The board was holding discussions with Milma and had not made a final decision on procuring ghee.
The Sabarimala temple is expected to open for the season.
- Tender quantity
- 50,000 litres of ghee
- Expected initial shortfall
- Around 10,000 litres
- Current Aravana stock
- 30 lakh tins
- Planned daily production
- 3.5 lakh tins
- Diversion under investigation
- Around 11,000 kg of Milma ghee
What people are saying
We are planning to produce another 30 lakh tins in the coming days. Appam production will also begin in a time-bound manner.