Kerala: Travancore Devaswom Board bans use of Arali flower in temples after finding toxic content

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], May 10 : Kerala's Travancore Devaswom Board has decided to ban the use of Arali flowers (Oleander) in temples under its administration, said board president PS Prasnth.
The decision was taken in the Devaswom board meeting held on Thursday.
The Devaswom board has taken this decision considering the toxic content in the Arali flowers
Notably, a young woman collapsed in Nedumbassery airport recently and she died later. Her postmortem reports confirmed that the toxic content of Arali flowers, which she had consumed, led to her death.
Last week, a cow and it's calf died in Pathanamthitta district in the state after accidentally consuming Arali.
Prasnth said that Arali flowers can be used for puja, but devotees should offer Tulasi, Thechi and Rosa flowers for offerings in the Devaswom Board temples.
This is to avoid possibility of Arali flowers reaching the hands of devotees directly from temples. Regarding the decision to avoid Arali flowers, the board will inform the Devaswom Assistant Commissioners through letters.
The Devaswom Board President said that the Sub Group Officers and Administrative Officers of the respective temples should ensure that Arali flowers are not used in Nivedyam and offerings .
Meanwhile, the Malabar Devaswam Board in the state has also decided to restrict the use of Arali flowers in temples under its jurisdiction.Temple will issue the order in this regard on Friday.