KOCHI: The devaswom bench of the Kerala High Court has prohibited the use of orchid flowers and leaves for decoration at Sabarimala Sannidhanam. The division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice S Muraleekrishna ordered only flowers in accordance with traditional customs should be used and that they must be replaced daily. The Devaswom Board and the Sabarimala Special Commissioner informed the court that instructions in this regard have already been issued to contractors.

The court directed that the Executive Magistrate at Sannidhanam and the Devaswom Vigilance must take steps to prevent coconut shells broken by devotees from being illegally collected by copra labourers.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been made a party to ensure safety in the distribution of prasadam, including appam and aravana. Authorities informed the court that the Duty Magistrate has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on Annapoorna Hotel at Pandithavalam for storing stale vanaspati and a fine of Rs 10,000 on Sreehari Hotel for keeping expired garam masala.

The Special Commissioner will soon inspect the buildings at Pampa and Sannidhanam, previously occupied by the Ayyappa Seva Sangham, to determine their use for pilgrims. The Ayyappa Seva Sangham has stated their readiness to clean, repaint, and hand over the buildings at their own expense.