2019 Photographs Show Actor Jayaram & Singer Veeramani at Ceremony Linked to Sabarimala Gold-Plating Scandal
Kerala: Photographs from 2019 show actor Jayaram attending a ceremony in Chennai organised by Unnikrishnan Potty, shedding light on the ongoing Sabarimala gold-plating controversy.
The images feature gold-plated claddings of the Dwarapalaka (guardian) idols, resembling those at Sabarimala. Jayaram later told the media that he attended the ceremony at Potty's invitation. Singer Veeramani and several other notable figures were also present.
The claddings were reportedly taken to Jayaram's residence after the function.
According to media reports, Potty constructed a golden pedestal for the idols, modeled on Sabarimala's sanctum gate, with financial support from an industrialist in Andhra Pradesh.
The work, carried out in Chennai between April and July 2019, included rituals and was intended for eventual installation at the temple.
The controversy arose after procedural lapses in the removal of the original gold plating, with the Kerala High Court later noting a loss of 4.541 kg of gold-plated copper under Potty's supervision.