Sabarimala Gold-Plating Row: Restored Panels to Be Reinstalled on October 17 Under High Court Supervision
Thiruvananthapuram/Pathanamthitta: The restored gold-plated panels of the Dwarapalaka (guardian) idols at Sabarimala will be reinstalled on October 17, coinciding with the opening of the temple for the Thulamasa pooja, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced on Saturday. The panels, brought back under the supervision of the Kerala High Court, are currently secured in the Sannidhanam strongroom and will be reinstalled in the presence of the temple’s chief priest.
The development comes amid an ongoing controversy over alleged misappropriation of the gold-plated copper foils that cover the intricate stone carvings at the temple. Opposition leaders had accused the TDB of removing the panels without proper authorization and entrusting them to sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty, claiming that portions of the gold were stolen or replaced.
According to official records, the gold-clad copper plates and pedestals were first removed in 2019 for maintenance and handed over to Potty. They were returned 39 days later, weighing 38.258 kg, showing a reduction of 4.541 kg from the recorded original weight.
In September 2025, the Board once again removed the panels, citing ongoing deterioration. However, the Sabarimala Special Commissioner informed the High Court on September 9 that the latest removal had occurred without prior judicial approval. During the subsequent investigation, two pedestals were recovered from Potty’s sister’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram on September 28, deepening the controversy.
TDB Clarifies: Panels Were Not Handed to Sponsor
Responding to the allegations, the Travancore Devaswom Board issued a detailed clarification on Saturday, asserting that the panels were never handed over to the sponsor.
“As per the mahazar, the 14 gold-plated panels from the Dwarapalaka sculptures weighed 38 kg with 397 grams of gold. Two intact panels remained at Sabarimala, while the remaining 12—totalling 22 kg and 281 grams of gold—were sent for repair,” the statement said.
The restoration, the Board said, was undertaken by Smart Creations in Chennai, where 10 grams of gold were added during replating. Following completion, the panels were returned under the High Court’s direction, increasing the total gold content in all 14 panels to 407 grams—an increase of 10 grams.
Warranty and Oversight
The TDB further noted that Smart Creations and the sponsor had provided a 40-year warranty for the 2019 work. Since the warranty was registered in the sponsor’s name, the Board claimed that it was procedurally required to involve the same sponsor again during the 2025 restoration.
“The TDB has nothing to hide. We are seeking a comprehensive investigation to ensure full transparency,” the statement added.
The Board also plans to request the Kerala High Court to conduct an in-depth inquiry, covering the reduction in gold weight since 1998, when the original gold plating—sponsored by businessman Vijay Mallya—was completed, and examining the potential misuse of the ‘sponsor’ designation in later years.
Political Accusations and Board’s Reaction;
In its statement, the Board accused Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan of “repeating baseless allegations” first raised by Unnikrishnan Potty, who claimed that four kilograms of gold were misappropriated.
“These allegations are an attempt to divert attention from Potty’s embarrassment, after his relative was found with gold items that he had claimed were missing,” the Board said.
It also alleged that “certain groups uneasy with the success of the Global Ayyappa Samgamam” were attempting to exploit the controversy to damage the temple’s and Board’s credibility.
Gold Management and Digitisation
The TDB clarified that, under the Gold Monetisation Scheme, it has recently transferred 467 kilograms of temple gold to the Reserve Bank of India in accordance with state audit and court directives. The gold, distributed across 18 strongrooms, is categorised under:
- A: Ancient items
- B: used for rituals and festivals
- C: Miscellaneous gold items
The process is overseen by the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner.
To improve transparency, the Board has also developed a cloud-based digital record system in partnership with NIC Chennai, aimed at cataloguing all valuables and ornaments across Devaswom institutions.
“Those found guilty must face the law. But spreading false narratives to discredit the Board or diminish the sanctity of Sabarimala for political motives is unacceptable,” the TDB said.