Kerala Temple Controversy: Missing Gold and Ivory at Guruvayur Following Sabarimala Theft Scandal

Kerala's renowned Guruvyaur temple, believed to be more than 5,000 years old, faces scrutiny following a recently released 2019 audit report.

Thiruvananthapuram:

In the wake of gold theft allegations at Kerala's Sabarimala temple, similar concerns have emerged regarding the prestigious Guruvayur temple. A 2019 audit report, only now made public, reveals various assets including gold and ivory marked as 'missing' with evidence suggesting improper handling protocols. The report additionally documents a Rs 79 lakh loss connected to deposits in a State Bank of India gold scheme.

The audit findings indicate manchadi (coral wood tree) seeds collected from devotees were unaccounted for, while saffron flowers were absent from official records. Furthermore, approximately 2,000 kg of traditional cookware (Uruli) valued at Rs 15 lakh donated by a Palakkad resident had been omitted from inventory calculations.

Of particular concern, over 530 kg of ivory from the Punnathur elephant fort cannot be located.

The Guruvayur Devaswom, an independent statutory board responsible for managing 12 temples across Kerala, has stated that these discrepancies have been resolved and detailed information submitted to the Kerala High Court via affidavit.

NDTV has reached out to the Devaswom Chairman for comment. While awaiting response, state officials have indicated they will issue a formal clarification but maintain that all audit irregularities have been addressed.

The opposition BJP has seized upon these revelations. On social media platform X, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari characterized the situation as a "huge insult to Hindu astha by the Left government."

"After Sabarimala, now Guruvayur Temple, Audit reveals gold missing from temple treasury," Bhandari wrote while sharing NDTV's coverage. "Left government's INTENTIONAL negligence and mismanagement of Kerala's revered temples is SHOCKING."

Sabarimala Temple Gold Theft Row

Regarding the Sabarimala controversy, the High Court last week declared that the incident cannot be dismissed as isolated, suggesting the possibility of a coordinated conspiracy.

Court documents reviewed by NDTV indicate the judiciary's intention to establish an independent court-monitored investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft, free from constraints of previous Special Commissioner proceedings.

The case involves gold plating removed from Dwarapalaka idols and Sreekovil side frames. Investigations revealed the idols were improperly transferred to sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti in 2019, violating regulations requiring repairs to be performed within temple premises.

The court highlighted how officials incorrectly labeled the idols as "copper plates," permitted their removal from sacred grounds, and failed to verify their weight upon return.

According to the Special Investigation Team's findings, Potti was allowed to retain over 400 grams of gold from the side frames. Investigators discovered emails showing he requested the Board's permission to use some gold for a marriage ceremony. In total, approximately 475 grams of temple gold remains unaccounted for, raising serious questions about Board oversight.

The court determined these oversights were deliberate. Despite complaints about damaged plating and an existing forty-year warranty, the same sponsor was covertly given custody of the idols again in 2025. The judges concluded this likely represented an attempt to conceal the previous theft.

To ensure transparency, the court has ordered registration of a new suo motu writ petition to replace earlier Special Commissioner proceedings. The SIT has been instructed to seize the Board's Minutes Book and place it under judicial custody. The idols, whose gold plates were reinstalled on October 17, have already undergone inspection as part of a court-mandated inventory.

The case will resume on November 5, with proceedings to be conducted in camera.

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