Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

The value of the treasure found in the four vaults of Sri Padmanabha temple in Kerala has so far crossed an estimated value of Rs 60,000 crore. Tonnes of gold, thousands of precious stones and other valuables found in the secret vaults of the temple have literally blinded the eyes of the Supreme Court appointed team to estimate the value of the treasure.

Two other unopened vaults are believed to contain the yellow metal and gems worth an equal amount.

In short, the twelve centuries old temple owned by the royal family which ruled the erstwhile princely state of Travancore, is sitting on a treasure worth Rs 1.2 lakh crore. If their antique value is taken into account, their worth will be 10 times higher than the current market price.


The sudden discovery of the hitherto hidden treasure in the heart of the capital city is a headache rather than a pleasant surprise for the government.

Onus is on the government to provide tight security to the treasure which carries a religious sentiment too.

"There will be no lapse on part of the government in protecting the treasure trove at the Sri Padmanabha Swami temple. The government has already given directions to the director general of police ( DGP)," chief minister Oommen Chandy said.


Nearly 200 officers and men will be deployed under him in and around the temple.

Sophisticated webcams and other modern equipment will be installed within the temple premises to further strengthen the security.

Earlier the Supreme Court had directed to make inventories of the articles found in the vaults and then place them back in the cellars, granting the plea of former IPS officer Sundara Rajan.

But it has kicked up heated discussions across the state regarding the future of the treasure trove.

While a section argues that since it is the wealth of the presiding deity, it should be kept as such at the temple; the other section contends that it belongs to the government and should be used for social welfare.

During the last two days search in two vaults which are believed to have not been opened for centuries, brought out several sacks full of precious stones.
Reportedly, one of the stones itself is worth Rs 50 crore.

The vaults also had several tonnes of ancient gold coins of various countries and thousands of ornaments The SC appointed panel is headed by former high court judge M. N. Krishnan and is assisted by experts from state archives and public works department.
Treasure continued to tumble out of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple here on Saturday with a Supreme Court-appointed committee finding more gold idols, coins and other assets on the sixth day of inspection in the shrine's hidden vaults.


Among the notable discoveries was an ancient gold idol of Lord Vishnu studded with precious diamonds and emeralds. Sources said its value could not be assessed due to its antiquity. There were also human figurines made of pure gold, each weighing 1 kg as well as 18-foot-long jewelery weighing 35 kg used to adorn the deity. Bags of coins and precious stones were also found in the chamber marked A.

Unconfirmed reports said the total value of all assets recovered from the shrine could be worth Rs 75,000 crore.

The temple has six vaults marked A to F. On Saturday, the committee completed stock taking in vault A. They had already drawn up the inventory of items in C, D and F. The B chamber, which hasn't been unsealed after 1872, and the E vault remain to be opened. The inspection will continue on Monday.


The state police has decided to put in place a three-tier security for the shrine which has emerged as the richest in India. Additional Director General of Police Venugopal K Nair, who is given charge of the temple security, said "We have only begun the process. A detailed plan will be put in place soon."

At present, two platoons of special armed police have been deployed for the shrine's security.

Acting on a petition, the Kerala high court had in January asked the state government to take over the administration of the temple and also prepare aninvetory of its assets. The shrine is run by a trust constituted by the royal family. On appeal, the SC stayed the take over part but gave nod to stock-taking.


History has it that the shrine is inextricably linked to the Travancore royal family. The erstwhile ruler of Travancore Marthanda Varma had dedicated the state and all his wealth to the deity and ruled as 'Padmanabha Dasa (servant of Padmanabha), who consequently gained the status of nominal head or 'perumal.


According to legend, the Travancore kings had transferred loads of wealth, meant for use during famines to these secret chambers to protect them from the British.

Even as priceless treasures found from cellars of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala is estimated to be around Rs 90,000 crore, the discovery has sparked a debate on how to protect and preserve the royal legacy which has surpassed everyone's imagination.
Opening of the long-locked chambers, on Supreme Court orders, which began on June 27 has so far revealed a large number of gold ornaments, gold and silver coins, stone studded crowns, idols and figurines inlaid with precious stones and jewels.


The exercise to assess the value of the articles, undertaken by a seven-member panel of observers, including two former high court judges, continues on Monday after a day's breather on Sunday.

Emergence of the temple as one of the richest Hindu shrines in the world has also thrown up security concerns with police as an interim step deploying two platoons of armed personnel.


According to the temple sources, the treasure trove has been so far estimated at around Rs 90,000 crore.

The question nagging historians, academics and enthusiasts of temple culture, however, is how to safeguard the treasure considering its immense historical and cultural values.


Many of them say the treasure symbolised the honesty and simplicity of erstwhile Travancore kings, who did not take away a single item from the pile whose existence they were aware of.

Historian and writer M G Sasibhushan opined that the rare treasures, kept for centuries in the secret chambers of the shrine, should be preserved for future generations.


Coins from other princely states like Vijayanagar empire and European countries have also been found which might be part of the gifts received by the rulers of the time.

The coins also reflect on the revenue received by the royal state through its maritime spice trade


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