Row over prasadam at Sabarimala, Govt to inquire

A big quantum of 'appam' (sweet delicacy), a major prasadam at the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala, was withdrawn and destroyed last week at the temple after fungal infection was found in the prasadam.

"We will find out how this happened through an inquiry," the minister told reporters here.

The Government had also sought details of the test results which confirmed that the prasdam had fungal infection he said.

As many as 1,66,317 packets of 'appam' were destroyed by Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) authorities as they were found to have fungal infection and thereby unfit to be distributed to the devotees.

Each packet contain seven pieces of 'appam', small solid lumps made of rice, jaggery and ghee and costs Rs 25.

The TDB, which administers the shrine, and the Government have come under attack over the development.