350 kg gunpowder seized from storeroom at Sabarimala shrine

Police today recovered about 350 kg gunpowder from a storeroom near a shrine at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, where the festival season is on, as it was more than the permissible limit that can be stored.
As per the storeroom's licence, only 15 kg can be stored, police said.
The Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season is currently on at the temple.
The gunpowder was recovered from the storeroom near the Mallikapuram shrine at Sannidhanam (temple complex), police said.
It was to be used for the preparation of 'Kathina Vedi', an offering for the presiding deity at the temple.
Police found that the room lacked the requisite safety measures to keep the explosive material.

The Sabarimala temple opened on November 15, marking the beginning of the three-month annual festival.
Thousands of pilgrims are visiting the hillock shrine every day to catch a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa and offer prayers.