Thiruvananthapuram: The Devaswom Board has instructed Sabarimala pilgrims to avoid three items from Irumudikattu. The notification is to avoid camphor, Agarbati and rose water. A large part of the goods brought by the devotees are taken away as waste and burnt. The Devaswom Board says that the move is in view of this situation.
Now a lot of plastic comes in the Irumudikettu brought by the Ayyappa devotees who come to Sabarimala. This is causing major environmental problems in Sabarimala. Now Irumutikat comes loaded with many things that are not needed. The Devaswom Board is of the opinion that this should be avoided. On the other hand, the front knot of the Irumudikkettu is to be offered to Sabarimala and the back knot is to offer food items for devotees. But in olden days Ayyappa devotees used to reach Sabarimala by walking. The method is to bring coconut, rice etc. in a back knot to cook and eat food among them. There is no need for it now. So just keep some rice in your Irumudikettu. It can be offered and bought at Sabarimala. Agarbatti, camphor and rose water which are not required in the front knot should be avoided. This is also not used there. The Devaswom Board says that coconut, ghee coconut, jaggery, banana, betel, and kanippon are enough for the front knot.
