“Sabarimala Gold Crown Missing: 55.72-Sovereign Crown Replaced With Fake”, TheCommuneMag, 24 Sep 2026.

“A 55.72-sovereign gold crown kept in the strong room at the Sabarimala temple has gone missing, with the discrepancy coming to light during an inventory of the temple’s sacred ornaments, as reported in Mathrubhumi.

The crown, weighing 445.78 grams, was donated by Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu in August 2012. Although the offering is recorded in the temple register, the crown currently kept in the strong room is reportedly an imitation of the original.

The imitation crown is of the same shape and size as the original and is fitted with white stones resembling diamonds. However, it weighs only 240 grams, compared with the 445.78 grams recorded for the original crown at the time of its donation.

The original gold crown was reportedly offered at Sabarimala by a group of Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu, who were chartered accountants, on 17 August 2012, when the temple opened for the Chingam month. A receipt was issued for the offering.

Following the offering, the crown was taken to the sanctum sanctorum and placed on the idol of Lord Ayyappa. It was subsequently moved to the strong room at the Sannidhanam………..”

Read the full article at TheCommuneMag.