A Woman's Death Sparks Ban On Oleander Flowers In 2500 Kerala Temples

The Malabar Devaswom Board has taken decisive action following the accidental poisoning of a young woman by oleander leaves, laying restrictions on the use of the Arali (Oleander) flower in temple offerings throughout Kerala. The decree was issued in response to mounting worries about the toxicity of the Arali flower, causing temple officials to prioritise the safety of devotees consuming 'Prasadam' and 'Naivedyam'—the sacred sacrifices made to the deity.

The Tragic Incident

Surya Surendran, a 24-year-old nursing graduate, died of oleander leaf toxicity, which resulted in the eventual ban. On April 29, she tragically passed away after consuming the leaves accidentally at her residence in Alappuzha. Prior to her departure for the UK, where she had secured a nursing job, she experienced symptoms of poisoning at Kochi International Airport, eventually leading to her demise.

Ban on Arali Flower in Temple Offerings

The President of the Malabar Devaswom Board, M R Murali, announced the prohibition of Arali flowers for rituals in over 1,400 temples under its jurisdiction. While temples are permitted to utilize the flower for puja rituals , they exclude the flowers from consumable offerings to safeguard devotees from potential harm.

To mitigate any risks associated with the ingestion of these flowers during religious ceremonies, Murali emphasized, "Despite the limited usage of Arali flowers in temple rituals, their prohibition is imperative in ensuring the safety of devotees, as studies have identified the presence of toxic substances within the flower." 

Devaswom Board Joins the Initiative

Echoing the sentiments of the Malabar Devaswom Board, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has also enforced restrictions on the use of Arali flowers in 'prasadam' and 'naivedyam' offerings within temples under its purview. President P S Prasanth affirmed the board's stance, citing concerns over the flower's toxic nature, which poses potential harm to both humans and animals.

Prasanth articulated, "In light of the hazards posed by Arali flowers, temples under the TDB will discontinue their use in offerings, opting instead for safer alternatives such as tulsi, thechi (Ixora), jasmine, jamanti (hibiscus), and rose." 

Incidents reported in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, including the tragic loss of human and animal lives allegedly linked to the ingestion of Arali flowers, have underscored the urgency of implementing these preventive measures. Surendran's unfortunate demise in Alappuzha, attributed to the consumption of Arali flowers and leaves, along with reports of a cow and calf succumbing to oleander leaves in Pathanamthitta are grim reminders of the potential risks associated with these toxic botanicals. By eliminating Arali flowers from temple offerings, both boards aim to mitigate such risks and uphold the sanctity of religious observances.

To enforce the ban effectively, the temple boards will communicate the decision to all assistant commissioners, who will oversee its implementation across temples under their jurisdiction

Understanding the Toxicity of Oleander

Oleander, characterized by its aesthetic appeal, thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. However, beneath its allure lies a potent threat—studies have identified the presence of cardenolides within oleander leaves and flowers, substances known to affect heart function in both humans and animals.

Oleander, a commonly found ornamental plant, contains oleandrin, a cardiotoxic glycoside known for its poisonous properties. Numerous forensic medical journals have documented cases of poisoning resulting from the ingestion of oleander leaves, highlighting the critical need for preventive measures.