Amid allegations of gold theft at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple, another major Kerala shrine has come under scrutiny in a similar controversy. A report submitted by DGP Ravada A. Chandrasekhar to the Home Department has flagged suspected gold theft and security lapses at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to Manorama News, the DGP report claimed that nearly 78 grams of gold bars and coins offered by devotees to the temple have gone missing over the past few months.
It also alleged that a multi-tiered gold lamp, which was removed for maintenance, was replaced with a silver substitute without any official documentation or records. In addition, the ‘Vaira Nama’ inside the sanctum sanctorum, which was removed for repair, has reportedly not been reinstated for the past six months.
The DGP report recommended that all gold and silver valuables currently stored outside the temple vaults be shifted to a centralised strong room. It also suggested that all valuable offerings made by devotees be properly documented and kept in designated lockers under strict police surveillance.
The report further noted security lapses, stating that certain individuals—including temple staff, security personnel, and associates of the royal family—were entering the temple without undergoing mandatory security checks.
Police have also observed that some of these individuals are close to Aditya Varma of the royal family and are known to regularly visit the Kowdiar Palace.
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple had hit national headlines in 2011 after several underground vaults at the shrine were opened for the first time, following a Supreme Court order to list the temple's assets.
Of the six known vaults, five were opened and recorded, revealing a vast collection of gold, jewellery, and precious stones, estimated to be worth billions of dollars. But Vault B, remains sealed due to religious sensitivities.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Police is already investigating the Sabarimala gold theft case and has made multiple arrests in connection with the probe.
The missing gold is reportedly linked to gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols, as well as the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the hill shrine, which is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
