Munch Murugan: The story behind this unique offering

Chemmoth Sree Subramaniya Swami Temple located in Alappuzha has developed a unique tradition over the past decade. This involves various traditions revolving around the Munch chocolate.The Murugan statue is adorned with a munch garland. The tradition of Thulabaram, which is the symbolic ritual of offering oneself to god, or making an offering which is equivalent in weight, is also carried out by offering Munch. Even the prasadam which the devotees receive is the munch chocolate.
There is a fascinating story behind this. Annop Chemmoth whose family has traditionally been running the temple said “The boy once rang the temple bell while playing and his parents scolded him for doing so. That night the boy felt sick and kept murmuring Murugan’s name. The next day, his parents brought him to the temple and the priest asked them to offer something to the deity. While his parents offered oil and flowers, the boy stubbornly offered Munch to the god at the sanctum sanctorum.” in an interaction with The News Minute. Apparently the boy recovered from his ailment after having made the offering. The news of this incident spread like wildfire in the region and this practice developed into a full-fledged practice.