Tamil Nadu pilgrims question Pongal dhotis sold at Pamba

Pilgrims from Tamil Nadu have questioned the practice of distributing free Pongal dhotis in Kerala, claiming the garments were later sold as irumudi bags at Pamba, the gateway to Sabarimala temple. The allegations surfaced after devotees spotted markings from the Tamil Nadu government on cloth used for the ritual bundles at a packing centre near a Ganapathi temple.

The Travancore Devaswom Board, responsible for arrangements at Sabarimala, stated it would investigate the matter. Tamil Nadu offers dhotis and sarees to eligible ration-card holders during Pongal, but the presence of marked cloth in a paid pilgrimage service has raised concerns. The printed information on the cloth indicates it was part of the 2025 distribution scheme.

Devotees circulated images and videos of the marked bags on social media, sparking discussions about whether subsidised welfare materials had entered the supply chain for religious offerings. The packing facility, under Devaswom Board supervision, allows pilgrims to complete the irumudi ritual and charges Rs 300 for the service.

Questions remain about the origin of the cloth, its journey to Pamba, and whether any unlawful resale occurred. Establishing the cloth's path from distribution to sale would be crucial in determining if welfare rules were violated.