| Aravanathonis are rotting | Mangalam

Sabarimala: As Aravana manufacturing has gone into the mechanized system, Aravana thonis, which were traditionally used for prasad making, are being destroyed without protection.

An old Aravana canoe is lying abandoned in the empty corner of Annadana Mandapam near Malikappuram. The need for preservation of two canoes lying abandoned for a quarter of a century had been raised for a long time. Before the arrival of the Aravana plant, when there were no steamers or coolers, this aravana thoni was made of steel to cool the aravana which was made in the warp. The cooked aravana is transferred to a vessel and stirred with a spatula till it cools down. After this fill the bottle with aravana.

These are the Aravanathonis which have offered offerings to lakhs of devotees. The devotees want the Department of Antiquities to at least be ready to take over the Aravanathonis after understanding their heritage and glory.