A fresh controversy has erupted at the revered Sabarimala temple after the Kerala High Court–appointed special commissioner reported that gold plating from the Dwara Palakas, the guardian figures flanking the sanctum sanctorum, was removed and transported to Chennai without prior judicial sanction.
In his submission to the High Court, the commissioner stressed that an earlier directive had clearly mandated that all gold-related works at the shrine must be carried out within the temple premises and under the direct supervision of court-appointed authorities. The unauthorized transportation of gold, therefore, marks a serious breach of established protocol.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, defended its action. TDB President P.S. Prasanth stated that the gold sheets were removed due to visible wear and tear on the sculptures, adding that Tantri approval had been obtained. However, the commissioner’s report underlined that ritual approval cannot override judicial orders, especially when it concerns valuable assets such as temple gold.
The development has once again reignited public concerns about the handling of temple wealth. Experts point out that gold exposed to natural elements may undergo chemical changes over time, often increasing its market value. Even if new gold sheets of the same weight are used as replacements, there remains the possibility of financial discrepancies, particularly given the historical and cultural significance of the original material.
This morning, a Devaswom Board representative revealed that the gold removed from the temple has already been melted and cannot be restored. The question now is: what action can the court take? At best, the board may face a severe reprimand, but will that resolve the issue? The fact remains that the original gold plates, which carried significantly higher historical and market value, are permanently lost.
This episode underscores a deeper issue: when temples are administered by non-believers and politically motivated atheists, such controversies are inevitable. The repeated mismanagement of sacred assets and the disregard for judicial directives raise serious questions about the credibility and intent of the current custodians.
It is no secret why the state government refuses to relinquish control of temples. The immense wealth of Hindu temples has become a cash cow for politicians and bureaucrats who have no real faith in the deity or the devotees. If these assets belonged to a church or mosque, would the government dare to interfere? The answer is obvious.
By keeping temples under state control, successive governments, particularly those driven by atheist-communist ideology, have treated sacred institutions as revenue-generating enterprises rather than centers of faith. This grip is not about devotion, it is about power, money, and the unchecked exploitation of Hindu religious wealth.
Only when the management of temples is handed back to the Hindu community can this cycle of exploitation and mismanagement be broken. The day Hindus demand their rightful custody with one united voice, this exploitation ends. Will that ever happen? Or will we continue to be mute spectators, as always?
