TDB to take legal action against sale of fake Ambalapuzha palpayasam

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board would initiate legal proceedings against a Thiruvalla-based bakery for preparing and selling packaged milk porridge under the name of famed Ambalapuzha palpayasam.
Complaints were galore in social media that a bakery was selling ‘Ambalapuzha palpayasam’ in sealed containers. The milk porridge that is known for its unique taste is the main offering at Ambalapuzha Sree Krishnaswamy Temple.
Since devotees need to prebook the special offering which the temple prepares only in limited quantity on a daily basis, criticism erupted against the practice of a private enterprise selling the palpayasam.
Following complaints, the devaswom board deputed officials to cross check the veracity of the claims. Upon their visit to the bakery, they could buy 500ml of packaged ‘Ambalapuzha palpayasam’ at Rs 175.
Harippad devaswom deputy commissioner has been asked to take steps for initiating legal action against the bakery owner who was duping devotees and by that way trying to lower the esteem of the centuries-old temple tradition, said devaswom board president A Padmakumar. Devaswom board has already petitioned Ambalapuzha police against the bakery.
The devaswom president also warned of action against who try to malign the temple tradition by making false claims about the private enterprises selling the Ambalapuzha sweet porridge offering. The move, he said, was part of the attempts to scuttle the payasam sale, which is one among the revenue sources of the board.