Sabarimala Gold Crown Safe in Strong Room, TDB Says Reports Are Baseless
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Sabarimala: The Travancore Devaswom Board has clarified that the 55.72-sovereign gold crown kept in the Sabarimala strong room is safe and accounted for, dismissing reports that the valuable ornament had gone missing.
The clarification came after media reports on September 24 claimed that a gold crown kept in the Sabarimala strong room could not be traced. Thiruvabharanam Commissioner R. Regilal subsequently submitted a report to Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President K. Jayakumar, confirming the status of the crown.
According to the Board, the crown was donated by Vaidyanathaswamy, a devotee from Tamil Nadu, on August 17, 2012. The crown, measuring 15 cm in height, is decorated with precious stones, red stones and 590 diamonds. It weighs 455.200 grams, approximately 56 sovereigns.
The crown was issued Receipt No. 104660/30 dated August 17, 2012, and entered as Entry No. 8991 in the Thiruvabharanam Register. The Board said the ornament has been kept in safe custody in the Sabarimala strong room.
The issue came to light in connection with a physical verification of temple ornaments and assets conducted pursuant to a Kerala High Court order in the presence of the Amicus Curiae. The Board said the crown was examined during the verification and its status was found to be in order.
The physical verification also reportedly led to confusion after an ornamental or replica-looking crown was found. Officials clarified that the item was not a substitute for the original gold crown and that the donated gold crown remains safely kept in the strong room.
The Board further stated that the crown had been insured by the devotee who donated it and is kept under the responsibility of the Sabarimala Administrative Officer for use on special occasions.
The TDB has therefore rejected the reports suggesting that the gold crown was stolen or missing, stating that the claims are baseless and that the crown is safely accounted for.