Thiruvambady Devaswom Board sought permission from Cochin Devaswom Board to sell valuable assets to settle debts. They wanted consent to sell three Thiuvambady Sri Krishna temple properties in Thrissur. As the temple is under the control of the Cochin Devaswom Board, their permission is needed to sell the temple land.

Thiruvambady Devaswom secretary Gireesh Kumar informed that it is a collective decision of the temple general body meeting to sell the property. Devaswom Boards in the State that administer the temples should ideally have believers of Sanatana Dharma as their members. In Kerala, the communists have appointed their leaders in the administration who are nothing but atheist Hindus In Name Only (HINOs) backed by Abrahamics.

Devotees responded angrily to the letter that made the rounds on social media. They reminded anti-Hindu elements that property acquired with donations could not be sold.

Kumar claimed that the decision to find a solution by selling the land, which has no ’emotional connection’ to the temple. Though Thiruvambady temple is managed by a trust under the Hindu Religious Institutions Act, the Cochin Devaswom Board audits its accounts. Kerala Devaswoms have not publicly audited their accounts in over fifty years.

The Thiruvambady temple has assets worth Rs. 700 crores. A few years ago, the Thiruvambady Convention Centre was constructed in the city center using a loan of 38 crore, which the temple management committee obtained from the South Indian Bank. It worked well initially, but soon, the COVID season came, and it was closed for two years. Interestingly, even after a two-year moratorium, the debt doubled.

A committee of ‘economists’ was appointed to suggest a solution to the crisis. The decision to sell the property was taken at an extraordinary general meeting of Devaswom members held on 29 January 2023. Kumar gave the letter to the Cochin Devaswom Board Secretary on 7 August. This letter was received on file by the Cochin Devaswom Board on 1 October.

The temple reportedly must pay the bank Rs. 65 lakh monthly in installments. Due to the communist management’s alleged payment delinquency, the bank started revenue recovery. The bank has come up with a one-time settlement of 28 crores.

Thiruvambady Devaswom used to accept deposits from devotees at high interest. Twelve percent interest was offered. Many retirees invested their entire savings. With interest also reinvested, the total loans to private players came to 36 crores. The temple now owes Rs. 72 crores, including loans from private lenders.

Meanwhile, the Devaswom even bought an elephant named Thiruvanpady Kannan for Rs. 1.80 crore.

Thiruvambadi Devaswom is one of the main organizers of Thrissur Pooram, which is more than three centuries old. The other is Paramekkavu Devaswom. Thrissur Pooram is a healthy, ritualistic competition between these Devas. The Devaswoms compete in fireworks and elephant fairs that bring in crores as donations from Hindus each year.

Why did they borrow and build the structure? Do we need such incompetent/corrupt administrators to handle temple affairs? Is the proposed plan another communist attempt to usurp and loot our temples even more?

The Cochin Devaswom has sought approval from the board to sell 127 cents of the Tiruvambadi Convention Center in the city center, 37 cents of temple land on Shornur Road, and the land held by Sandeepani Vidyaniketan School.

Initially, the plan is to sell 10 acres of the school’s 16.5 acres of land, guaranteeing the institution’s ‘sufficient space’ to operate. The sale of an acre of property next to Daya Hospital and the land set aside for elephants is also being considered.

Although our assets are valued at Rs 700 crore, liquidity is the real issue. Kumar stated, “If we can settle the outstanding dues by selling some assets, it will ease our load, and we can enhance our finances in five years.” Many fear that nothing will remain by the time the current regime changes.

The Cochin Devaswom Board has not decided in this regard. President Dr Sudarshanan is waiting for the Attorney General’s legal advice. Even if Cochin Devaswom turns down the sale, the temple can obtain permission from the High Court to sell its assets. Either way, if such a sale of assets is approved, the Hindus will suffer.

Interestingly, some buyers have come to take over the school building and some land. Abrahamics are on a buying spree, and most land in all cities is now owned by non-Hindus. Land jihad operates in mysterious ways. The Communist ecosystem has, anyway, deeply infiltrated the education department.

Do Hindus need such mismanagement of our temples? When will the government free us from the clutches of such anti-Hindu activities?