Govt for keeping treasure trove as temple asset

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid raging debate over preservation of the treasure trove found in the Padmanabhaswamy temple here, the Kerala government on Tuesday said that it belonged to the temple and should be preserved there itself.

After visiting the temple to review the security of the sprawling complex in the heart of the state capital, Devaswom Affairs Minister V S Sivakumar said the UDF government would fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding the treasures found in its chambers.

However, any final decision would depend on the views of the Supreme Court, which ordered the ongoing inventory by a seven-member panel, including two former high court judges.

Out of the six cellars, five had been opened and the articles found from there were enlisted yesterday. The decision on opening the remaining cellar would be taken on Friday after further discussions, temple sources said.

This particular chamber, remaining shut for long, is believed to contain a large number of precious articles. Its opening would require great care and technical expertise to ensure that the structure was not damaged, they said.

Security has already been tightened by deploying trained personnel including armed commandos and 24-hour patrolling put in place.

The government had directed police that security arrangements, though foolproof, should not come in the way of worship by devotees and the temple's rituals, customs and traditions.

A stunning range of articles including gold ornaments, idols engraved with precious stones, jewels, heaps of solid gold coins, silver and gold platters and lamps were discovered from the cellars. The shrine is managed by a trust controlled by the erstwhile Travancore royal family.