Kerala HC Directs TDB to Complete Appraisal of Sabarimala 'Kaniponnu' Valuables Stored in 80 Sacks
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to provide all necessary assistance to former High Court judge Justice K. T. Sankaran for the appraisal of valuables, including gold offerings made by devotees at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple, stored in 80 sacks labelled "Kaniponnu" at the Aranmula strong room.
The directive was issued by Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan while considering a report submitted by the Special Commissioner. The court also instructed the Board's standing counsel to inform it of the procedure that will be adopted for the safe custody of valuable offerings received in the future. The aim is to ensure that such offerings are appraised periodically and recorded through a comprehensive digital inventory.
The case has been posted for further hearing on August 4.
Justice K. T. Sankaran was appointed by the High Court on September 29, 2025, to undertake a comprehensive appraisal of all articles listed in the Thiruvabharanam Register of the Sabarimala Temple, along with valuables stored in the Aranmula strong room. According to the Special Commissioner's report, the appraisal process is now nearing completion.
However, during the inspection conducted on July 4, officials found that the 80 sacks marked "Kaniponnu" contained not only gold and silver offerings but also several other materials. The report noted that a proper valuation of the valuables would not be possible unless the non-valuable items were first separated from the precious articles.
Taking note of the Travancore Devaswom Board's assurance that it would extend full cooperation, the High Court directed the Board to facilitate both the segregation of the contents and the appraisal of the valuables contained in the sacks.
The court's directions are expected to strengthen the documentation and safekeeping of devotees' offerings by introducing a structured and digitally maintained inventory system for valuable items received at the Sabarimala Temple.