Sabarimala Gold Plate Controversy: Devaswom Board Demands Comprehensive High Court Investigation
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced that it will formally request the Kerala High Court to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the controversy surrounding the gold-plated panels of the Sabarimala Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum). The Board seeks to investigate the reported reduction in the weight of gold since the initial plating in 1998, sponsored by industrialist Vijay Mallya, and to identify individuals who may have misused the Sabarimala name under the guise of sponsorship. Advocate P.S. Prashanth, President of the TDB, along with members Advocates A. Ajikumar and P.D. Santhosh Kumar, issued a press release emphasizing that the court should determine the scope and nature of the inquiry. The Board stressed the importance of upholding the integrity and credibility of the revered Sabarimala temple, asserting that a thorough investigation is essential to prevent any tarnishing of its image.
The Devaswom Board clarified that the gold-plated panels were transported to Chennai for necessary repairs in 2025, adhering strictly to all established protocols and guidelines. The process involved the meticulous preparation of a mahasar (official report) under the direct supervision of the Thiruabharanam Commissioner, with the presence of Devaswom Vigilance officials, the Sabarimala Executive Officer, the Administrative Officer, and the Devaswom Smith. This entire procedure, including the sealing of the panels and their transportation in a secure vehicle to Chennai, was meticulously video recorded. Devaswom Vigilance officials, led by the Thiruabharanam Commissioner, accompanied the vehicle, ensuring that the panels were not entrusted to any sponsor directly.
According to the mahasar, the 14 gold-plated panels adorning the Dvarapalaka sculptures originally weighed a total of 38 kilograms, containing 397 grams of gold. Two undamaged panels were retained and not sent to Chennai. The 12 panels transported for repair weighed 22 kilograms, with a gold content of 281 grams. During the repair work carried out at Smart Creation in Chennai, an additional 10 grams of new gold was applied. Following these repairs, and with the High Court’s approval, the panels were returned to Sannidhanam under the Thiruabharanam Commissioner’s leadership. A subsequent mahasar recorded an increase in the gold weight of the 12 panels to 291 grams. Consequently, the total gold weight of all 14 Dvarapalaka panels has now risen from 397 grams to 407 grams.
Currently, the repaired panels, having been returned to Sannidhanam with High Court permission, are securely stored in the Sannidhanam strongroom. With the High Court’s authorization for their reinstallation, these panels are scheduled to be reinstated on October 17, coinciding with the temple’s opening for the Thulamasa Puja, in the esteemed presence of the Tantri (chief priest). The Board noted that Smart Creation and the original sponsor had provided a 40-year warranty for these panels following the 2019 repairs. It was due to this existing warranty, held in the sponsor’s name, that the Travancore Devaswom Board approached the same sponsor for the 2025 repair work. The TDB reiterated that it maintains complete transparency in this matter and has nothing to conceal, hence its proactive request for a comprehensive judicial inquiry.
The press release also leveled accusations against the Leader of the Opposition, suggesting that their repeated allegations against the Devaswom Board are an attempt to deflect from previous embarrassment. The Board claims that the opposition leader had earlier endorsed false allegations by Unnikrishnan Potti regarding the pilfering of four kilograms of gold, made just before the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. This alleged embarrassment stemmed from the subsequent discovery of the idol’s pedestal at Unnikrishnan Potti’s relative’s residence. The Board further contended that certain entities, reportedly disquieted by the historic success of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, are exploiting the gold-plated panel issue as a “golden opportunity” to propagate baseless accusations and unjustly discredit the entire Devaswom Board.
In a related development, the Travancore Devaswom Board recently transferred 467 kilograms of gold to the Reserve Bank, approximately a month ago, as part of the Gold Monetization Scheme and in compliance with court directives, after undergoing a state audit. As part of this broader initiative, the gold stored in the 18 strongrooms under the Devaswom Board has been systematically categorized into Category A (ancient artifacts), Category B (for daily rituals and festivals), and Category C (gold fragments not falling into other categories). This detailed inventory has been documented under the supervision of the Thiruabharanam Commissioner and will be presented to the court. Additionally, in a move towards complete digitization, the Board has collaborated with NIC Chennai to develop a comprehensive cloud-based software. Upon implementation, this software will meticulously record all information pertaining to valuable temple assets, including sacred ornaments. This information will also be duly communicated to the court.
Concluding the statement, the Devaswom Board asserted that while any individual found guilty of wrongdoing should face appropriate punishment, the ongoing attacks on the Travancore Devaswom Board and the sacredness of the Sabarimala temple, through factually incorrect allegations, are driven purely by narrow political agendas.