HC Orders Return of Sabarimala Gold Plates, Criticises Devaswom Board
Kochi: In a setback to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the return of the gold-plated copper sheets removed from above the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple. The court directed that the plates, which had been taken to Chennai for repair, must be brought back.
The High Court’s Devaswom Bench issued the order while examining a report from the court-appointed Sabarimala Special Commissioner. The report stated that the plates had been removed without the court’s approval. Criticising the board, the Bench observed that it was “inappropriate” to act without prior sanction and reminded that existing orders required both the Commissioner’s and the Court’s approval. The court also asked the Board to submit a detailed report on Friday.
The Commissioner noted that repairs to gold ornaments are usually carried out within the temple premises after securing court permission. He further requested strict directions to prevent any major maintenance at Sannidhanam or Malikappuram without prior approval.
Meanwhile, TDB President P. S. Prasanth dismissed media reports suggesting that the golden Dwarapalaka idols themselves had been detached. He clarified that only the gold-plated copper sheets above the idols were sent to Chennai for repair with the consent of the temple tantri and the Board.
The plates were taken to the same Chennai-based institution that had originally crafted them, accompanied by temple and Board officials, vigilance staff, and a representative of the original sponsor. Prasanth added that repairs were recommended by the temple tantri and that the expenses were being covered by the sponsor.
Calling the controversy an attempt to tarnish the image of the Board, Prasanth alleged that it was intended to defame the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam scheduled at Pamba on September 20.