Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Missing Gold, Security Gaps, and Scandal
The dust from the Sabarimala gold scandal hasn’t quite settled, and now, fresh questions are hitting the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala. It’s not just about the initial missing gold anymore. An intelligence report just came out, flagging serious stuff—missing valuables, huge security gaps, and just plain irregular handling of the offerings devotees bring in.
The Director General of Police actually sent a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary. The findings came from the Additional Director General of Police’s Intelligence wing. They were really worried about how things are managed inside that temple.
What they found is… heavy. They reported that over the last few months, nearly 78 grams of gold bars and coins meant for temple maintenance just vanished. That’s a lot of money, gone.
But that wasn't the only issue. There was something weirder going on with the items themselves. They found out that a multi-tiered gold lamp, one that was supposed to be there for maintenance, was completely gone. Worse, the original lamp had apparently been swapped out for a silver one. No paperwork. Zero records of that change.
And then there’s the "Vaira Nama." A traditional ornament that should have been right in the sanctum sanctorum. The report claims it hadn't been in its proper spot for six months. It was supposedly removed for some repair work, but nobody seems to know where it is now.
It’s a strange situation, isn't it? Because this temple isn't run by the Kerala government, not really. It’s managed by some executive committee appointed by the Supreme Court. That committee handles the day-to-day stuff.
The district judge heads this whole setup. And the panel? It’s a mix. There’s a representative from the central government, BJP leader Karamana Jayan. Then there’s advocate Velayudhan, representing the state. And then there’s Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, head of the old Travancore royal family. Aditya Varma is also on the panel, nominated by that royal head. Finally, the chief priest is the fifth member.
But the security side? That’s where things got really messy. The investigation pointed straight at serious lapses right at the entrance.
People—temple staff, security, and some folks linked to the old royal family—were just walking right past the mandatory security checks at the Chembakathummoodu entrance. They were bypassing everything.
The report named names. Ganapathy V Iyer, Rajesh Kazhakoottam, Arun, Kottukal Shaiju, Padmesh Parasuraman, and Ashok. Officials claimed these people were connected to Aditya Varma. They were regular visitors to Kowdiar Palace, apparently.
It all points to a breakdown.
So, what do they recommend? Well, they want things locked down. They suggested that all the gold, silver, and whatever valuables are sitting outside the vaults needs to be moved into one big, centralized strong room. Proper documentation for every offering needs to be established, and everything needs to be secured.
Lockers and storage areas? They need constant police surveillance. Zero tolerance for anyone trying to sneak past security. Every single person, no exceptions, has to go through a full security check before they even step onto the property.
These allegations just throw a massive shadow over one of Kerala’s biggest temples. It makes you wonder about the management, about the trust, and about who exactly is pulling the strings behind the scenes regarding these valuables and the security. It’s all really starting to feel unstable.
Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board
Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.
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