Sabarimala Gold Plating Controversy: Company Explains Weight Reduction
Advocate K.B. Pradeep, representing Smart Creations in the Kerala High Court, has offered an explanation regarding the controversial weight reduction of the gold-plated “Dwarapalaka” sculptures at Sabarimala. According to Pradeep, the gold plating was applied to a 38 kg copper layer, a reduction from the initial 42 kg of copper sheets brought in 2019. He clarified that the decrease in weight resulted from the acid washing and cleaning processes undertaken before the gold was applied. The copper layers, he added, are constructed with wax inserts, and a total of 397 grams of gold was utilized in the plating process.
The company had issued a 40-year warranty for the gold plating. After six years, signs of wear and tear became apparent on the gold. Smart Creations subsequently carried out the necessary repair work under the warranty terms. Of the 12 panels submitted for maintenance, eight underwent polishing, while the remaining four required fresh gold plating. The advocate confirmed that a comprehensive explanation detailing these specifics would be formally filed with the court.
The controversy intensified following suspicions that certain portions of the gold plating on the Sabarimala “Dwarapalaka” sculptures had mysteriously vanished.
Investigations have revealed that Unnikrishnan Potti, a Malayali entrepreneur based in Bengaluru and a primary accused in the case, allegedly transported the gold-plated panels designated for Sabarimala to actor Jayaram’s residence in Chennai, where religious rituals were reportedly conducted.
Further reports indicate that the “Dwarapalaka” idols were initially gold-plated between 1998 and 1999, an endeavor reportedly sponsored by Mallya, during which approximately 30 kilograms of gold was utilized.
The High Court observed that the total weight of the gold-plated copper coverings was 42.8 kilograms before being handed over to Unnikrishnan Potti for further gold plating in August 2019. Post-plating, the weight reportedly decreased to 38.258 kilograms.
Authorities suspect that Unnikrishnan Potti moved the gold-plated panels from Sabarimala to various locations to solicit donations from affluent devotees across South India. It is also believed that he leveraged photographs and videos of actor Jayaram participating in these rituals to attract a larger number of devotees.