Damage to Dwarapalaka Sculptures Remains Unrepaired as Pilgrimage Season Approaches
Sabarimala: The damage caused to the Dwarapalaka sculptures and other parts of the Sreekovil during the investigation into the gold theft case remains unrepaired, even as the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season gets underway. The delay in restoring the damaged portions has drawn criticism from devotees.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had drilled holes in the Dwarapalaka sculptures, the door frames and the sides of the Sreekovil to collect metal samples as part of the investigation. A total of 36 samples, each measuring around one inch, were collected between November last year and February this year.
Although nearly eight months have passed since the samples were taken, the holes left behind have not been repaired. The restoration has been delayed as the collected materials form part of the evidence in the ongoing gold theft investigation.
The metal samples removed from the Sreekovil were examined at the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur. The SIT has already submitted the laboratory report to the court. The samples will also have to be produced as evidence in the case.
The examination of the metal samples, along with the stripping salt chemical collected from Smart Creations in Chennai, helped investigators establish the method used to remove gold from the temple structures. The SIT also reportedly found evidence indicating the use of mercury and other chemicals.
The temple Tantri had earlier urged the authorities to repair the damaged portions of the Sreekovil at the earliest. Devotees have also raised concerns over the continued presence of holes in the sacred structures, maintaining that such damage should not remain during the pilgrimage season.