POSTED BY VAKKOMSEN
Heavy security was in place at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple here as a seven-member Supreme Court-appointed team Friday went about opening and taking an inventory of its six chambers.
Armed guards and cameras were placed around the temples as media reports said that treasure worth thousands of crores have been found in the chambers, two of which have not been opened for nearly 150 years.
The stock-taking process was ordered by the Supreme Court following a petition by advocate T.P. Sundararajan over mismanagement of the temple affairs.
The chambers in the temple reportedly contain rare and precious gems and jewellery.
Sundararajan expressed his displeasure over the manner in which the stock-taking process was being done as rumours and reports talked about millions in treasure.
"I will report this matter to the Supreme Court," Sundararajan told reporters.
To a question on numerous media reports putting the value of treasure at Rs.50,000 crore, Sundarajan said: "Only 30 percent of chamber A has been accounted for and hence the value could be much more than what has been reported in the media."
The temple has six chambers from A to F. Chambers C, D, and F have been opened and B and E are yet to be done.
Chambers A and B have not been opened for nearly 150 years while remaining four were opened by the temple authorities from time-to-time.
Around 90,000 crore worth treasure (Nidhi) has been found in the secret cellars of the famous Kerala Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu - Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). The 7 member paper appointed by the Supreme Court of India, has been preparing the list of valuable found in the cellars of Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple. The temple has 6 Secret Cellars (Nilavara – a place to keep assets safe) from Cellar A to Cellar F. Opening of each of these chambers is revealing a virtual treasure trove with precious diamonds, golden ornaments, emeralds, jewelleries, rare antique silver and brass platters and golden idols. An estimation of above 90,000 crore treasure was valued at the completion of the 6th day of valuing the assets of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Golden idol of Mahavishnu worth Rs. 500 Crore
The main treasure found on the 6th day was a one foot (12 angulams) height golden idol of Lord Mahavishnu and a 30 kg golden ‘anki’. This golden idol of Lord Vishnu is believed to be the replica of the ‘utsava vigraham' used in the temple. The golden idol of Padmanabhaswamy studded with more than 1000 previous stones is valued to around Rs. 500 Crore. Another golden idol of Lord Sree Krishna was also found which weighs around 5 kg.
Golden Coins, Ornaments, and Human figurine
Several golden coins were also unearthed yesterday which are believed to be issued during the reign of Krishnadeva Rayar in the 16th century AD. Numerous golden ornaments which were used to adorn the main deity were also found in the Vault marked A. Ornaments studded with emeralds were also found on Saturday. Numerous golden human figurine weighing 1 kg, golden bangles, golden rope, are other interesting treasure found in the Vishnu Temple.
Golden Coconut Shells
Another interesting finding was two coconut shells made of pure gold. One of this golden coconut shell was students with rare antique stones including emeralds and rubies.
Cellar B To Open on Monday
Cellar B is the remaining one secret vault which is yet to be inventoried. It is said that this cellar haven’t been opened for more than 100 years. The remaining articles in Cellar A will be inventoried on Monday afternoon and Cellar B will be opened only after that.
Since the chambers were closed for so long, Sundararajan said he was unable to remain inside for long because of the lack of oxygen.
The temple is maintained by the erstwhile royal family of Travancore.
Retired judge M.N. Krishnan, who heads the seven-member team, had indicated Monday that the stock taking could end Friday but it is now certain that it could go on for a few more days.
The team will present its findings to the Supreme Court.
The main temple deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture or in eternal sleep of 'yognidra'.
The great hunt is on and each day crores of value worth antiques are unraveled from the hidden chests and dark chambers of the great Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Its really mesmerizing to read all about the treasure and its hidden coffers in such an ancient monument and engineering marvel.
South Indian temples really fascinate me, its grandiose structure and innate work and fine grained artistry really entices me. These temple just shows the passion of people who conceived this structures and passion of people who worked for them to make it as they are – a resilient structures which can withstand 1000 years of time and tide.
Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple is relatively a young temple compared to great Chola or Pallava monuments in Tamil Nadu. The great temples in Tanjore, Chidambaram, Gangai Konda Cholavaram, Kumbakonam really bowl me over when I stand before them like a kid wide eyes and mouth wide open.
Its really no surprise that so much of treasure is hidden beneath the stone structure of Padmanabha Swamy temple. In fact each and every ancient temple in South India surely would have had such secret treasure troves, but alas now everything is lost because either being looted by British or invading Muslim Kings and if they have survived those stooges our own people might have siphoned off them. The crux is we Indians don’t take pride in such structures nor do we care about these marvels. Many people loathe going to temple for various reason – being an atheist or aversion to crowd or laziness to travel and many other silly reasons. No wonder in Chidambaram you see lot foreigners with cameras than Indians with camera. They are fascinated by them than us.
Coming to this unraveling story of treasures in Padmanabha Swamy Temple – what will happen to them? Now that secret is out in the open vested interests in different quarters may be frothing in their mouth to take control of temple or to seize a nickel out of it and keep it in their showcase or worse siphon it off for money. Remember the price being derived is just based on current market rates, if you add the antique value of these pieces it may run into more crores in value. But it would also be insane to argue that these whole thing is proprietary of one family now. These treasures are not earned by them, they might have been got as gifts to the state, as tax and wealth of the state. So today a family cannot come and claim them because of a lineage. Its like our Prime Minister claiming rights on India’s economy. I feel it belongs to the people of Kerala and its upto the people be proud about it, be passionate about it and care about it and preserve it for generations.
Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple is one of those finest temples out there where a visit can really calm your soul and soothe you. Its ranks high in the way its maintained and run. A big kudos to the Royal family and the trust which does it – after all they never got tempted to loot the treasures till now. Alas that today we have denigrated to such a passé that arbid ego clashes and petty interests have lead to this skull drudgery of a situation and we have no one to blame but ourselves [read Hindus] for such an impasse. From here if an ordinance is promulgated and secular Congress party decides to put a secular person [like Mr. George Joseph or Mr. Mohammed Haji] in the trust running the temple we just have to live with it.
Now the question is next what? What to do with the treasure – should we use it for eradicating poverty or negating some of our fiscal deficit or implement NREGA with that? Anything can happen in this country. I am sure some insane voices would opine that now that people know about the treasures they are not safe where they are and should be put in bank vaults. Nothing can be disastrous than that. We have smart people in this country who even though cannot be creative can easily be creative enough to make fakes and swap the real ones. Hope we won’t tread that path. I personally would like them to maintained where they are and status quo maintained on it. Or even if they can make some great fool-proof arrangement to exhibit them and open the chambers for public that would also be good (something like public viewing every year say, for 2 weeks and then they are back to the chambers). I personally would like to see them and more than the treasure I would be exciting in seeing the secret chamber and its security plugs.
Its not clear as to what will happen to the temple or the treasures – a handful of cronies and their ego will decide its fate. But thank god they can’t take the Lord away or take the shrine itself away. Those two are enough for mere mortals like me to be happy about. A walk in the alleys in this sacred temple is enough to transpire you to another realm, to mesmerize you about our rich history and culture and hope a day will not come where they won’t even allow to do that!
Billions priceless treasures found from cellars of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple
Heavy security was in place at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple here as a seven-member Supreme Court-appointed team Friday went about opening and taking an inventory of its six chambers.
Armed guards and cameras were placed around the temples as media reports said that treasure worth thousands of crores have been found in the chambers, two of which have not been opened for nearly 150 years.
The stock-taking process was ordered by the Supreme Court following a petition by advocate T.P. Sundararajan over mismanagement of the temple affairs.
The chambers in the temple reportedly contain rare and precious gems and jewellery.
Sundararajan expressed his displeasure over the manner in which the stock-taking process was being done as rumours and reports talked about millions in treasure.
"I will report this matter to the Supreme Court," Sundararajan told reporters.
To a question on numerous media reports putting the value of treasure at Rs.50,000 crore, Sundarajan said: "Only 30 percent of chamber A has been accounted for and hence the value could be much more than what has been reported in the media."
The temple has six chambers from A to F. Chambers C, D, and F have been opened and B and E are yet to be done.
Chambers A and B have not been opened for nearly 150 years while remaining four were opened by the temple authorities from time-to-time.
Golden idol of Mahavishnu worth Rs. 500 Crore
The main treasure found on the 6th day was a one foot (12 angulams) height golden idol of Lord Mahavishnu and a 30 kg golden ‘anki’. This golden idol of Lord Vishnu is believed to be the replica of the ‘utsava vigraham' used in the temple. The golden idol of Padmanabhaswamy studded with more than 1000 previous stones is valued to around Rs. 500 Crore. Another golden idol of Lord Sree Krishna was also found which weighs around 5 kg.
Golden Coins, Ornaments, and Human figurine
Several golden coins were also unearthed yesterday which are believed to be issued during the reign of Krishnadeva Rayar in the 16th century AD. Numerous golden ornaments which were used to adorn the main deity were also found in the Vault marked A. Ornaments studded with emeralds were also found on Saturday. Numerous golden human figurine weighing 1 kg, golden bangles, golden rope, are other interesting treasure found in the Vishnu Temple.
Golden Coconut Shells
Another interesting finding was two coconut shells made of pure gold. One of this golden coconut shell was students with rare antique stones including emeralds and rubies.
Cellar B To Open on Monday
Cellar B is the remaining one secret vault which is yet to be inventoried. It is said that this cellar haven’t been opened for more than 100 years. The remaining articles in Cellar A will be inventoried on Monday afternoon and Cellar B will be opened only after that.
Since the chambers were closed for so long, Sundararajan said he was unable to remain inside for long because of the lack of oxygen.
The temple is maintained by the erstwhile royal family of Travancore.
Retired judge M.N. Krishnan, who heads the seven-member team, had indicated Monday that the stock taking could end Friday but it is now certain that it could go on for a few more days.
The team will present its findings to the Supreme Court.
The main temple deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture or in eternal sleep of 'yognidra'.
The great hunt is on and each day crores of value worth antiques are unraveled from the hidden chests and dark chambers of the great Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Its really mesmerizing to read all about the treasure and its hidden coffers in such an ancient monument and engineering marvel.
South Indian temples really fascinate me, its grandiose structure and innate work and fine grained artistry really entices me. These temple just shows the passion of people who conceived this structures and passion of people who worked for them to make it as they are – a resilient structures which can withstand 1000 years of time and tide.
Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple is relatively a young temple compared to great Chola or Pallava monuments in Tamil Nadu. The great temples in Tanjore, Chidambaram, Gangai Konda Cholavaram, Kumbakonam really bowl me over when I stand before them like a kid wide eyes and mouth wide open.
Its really no surprise that so much of treasure is hidden beneath the stone structure of Padmanabha Swamy temple. In fact each and every ancient temple in South India surely would have had such secret treasure troves, but alas now everything is lost because either being looted by British or invading Muslim Kings and if they have survived those stooges our own people might have siphoned off them. The crux is we Indians don’t take pride in such structures nor do we care about these marvels. Many people loathe going to temple for various reason – being an atheist or aversion to crowd or laziness to travel and many other silly reasons. No wonder in Chidambaram you see lot foreigners with cameras than Indians with camera. They are fascinated by them than us.
Coming to this unraveling story of treasures in Padmanabha Swamy Temple – what will happen to them? Now that secret is out in the open vested interests in different quarters may be frothing in their mouth to take control of temple or to seize a nickel out of it and keep it in their showcase or worse siphon it off for money. Remember the price being derived is just based on current market rates, if you add the antique value of these pieces it may run into more crores in value. But it would also be insane to argue that these whole thing is proprietary of one family now. These treasures are not earned by them, they might have been got as gifts to the state, as tax and wealth of the state. So today a family cannot come and claim them because of a lineage. Its like our Prime Minister claiming rights on India’s economy. I feel it belongs to the people of Kerala and its upto the people be proud about it, be passionate about it and care about it and preserve it for generations.
Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple is one of those finest temples out there where a visit can really calm your soul and soothe you. Its ranks high in the way its maintained and run. A big kudos to the Royal family and the trust which does it – after all they never got tempted to loot the treasures till now. Alas that today we have denigrated to such a passé that arbid ego clashes and petty interests have lead to this skull drudgery of a situation and we have no one to blame but ourselves [read Hindus] for such an impasse. From here if an ordinance is promulgated and secular Congress party decides to put a secular person [like Mr. George Joseph or Mr. Mohammed Haji] in the trust running the temple we just have to live with it.
Now the question is next what? What to do with the treasure – should we use it for eradicating poverty or negating some of our fiscal deficit or implement NREGA with that? Anything can happen in this country. I am sure some insane voices would opine that now that people know about the treasures they are not safe where they are and should be put in bank vaults. Nothing can be disastrous than that. We have smart people in this country who even though cannot be creative can easily be creative enough to make fakes and swap the real ones. Hope we won’t tread that path. I personally would like them to maintained where they are and status quo maintained on it. Or even if they can make some great fool-proof arrangement to exhibit them and open the chambers for public that would also be good (something like public viewing every year say, for 2 weeks and then they are back to the chambers). I personally would like to see them and more than the treasure I would be exciting in seeing the secret chamber and its security plugs.
Its not clear as to what will happen to the temple or the treasures – a handful of cronies and their ego will decide its fate. But thank god they can’t take the Lord away or take the shrine itself away. Those two are enough for mere mortals like me to be happy about. A walk in the alleys in this sacred temple is enough to transpire you to another realm, to mesmerize you about our rich history and culture and hope a day will not come where they won’t even allow to do that!
Billions priceless treasures found from cellars of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple
i agree with you when u say one single family cannot own the whole thing.but i believe that if any body should own it ,it should be the royal family..rather than the government.more than being valuable a lot of the findings are sacred.if it is being misused let it be the royal family that is misusing it. they have right to it. and if they wanted to do it they would have done it long ago.
ReplyDeleteCould it be displayed so the world could see it or would that be sacreligious?
ReplyDeletei guess it would be good if the ppl could see it...but doubt if the kerala goverment or rather indian government is capable of doing it..for instance the nizams jewels are locked up in the reserve bank...too scared to keep it anywhere else i guess...to display our heritage we need security like that of the Louvre or the Vatican library(no oxygen in sum chambers..they are airtight)..
ReplyDeletewith scams scams and more scams all around these days, i think this is the stupidest thing to be done. soon we can see these treasures vanishing into air( i mean into the hands of fraud politicians n business people)n also safety of the temple is gone for ever.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts, but i think this treasure should & must be displayed in public by putting it in the National Museum, so that the people of Indian who have heard about India being the "golden bird" since ages, could wittness the truth, because the British & the Mughal had looted all the wealth. Hence its our chance to prove to the world that its all true & not a myth.
ReplyDeleteDear viewers,
ReplyDeleteAll this tresures and values will be equally distributed by the polilticians. They never care about the public as they wanna be millionaires.. How can they miss this golden opportunity given by god for the public??
oh they cant do that.now that this is public no 1 can touch them UNLESS some 1 would swap it...reshmi is right..the safety of the temple is gone forever...but what would have happened if no body had found this..the kings where trying to store wealth as back up during famines..but now its got 'historic significance'..i agree but personaly..whats the big deal..the goverment is ready to spend crores to preserve this loot..which means its not bringing in any help but the govt will spend more on this massive loot..this could cause a famine here...kerala is not america..here there are millions of people who want help..now our tax is going to provide ample security ..just thing bout all the man hours that are gonna get wasted over this...im a hindu myself..so i am not being racist ...im trying to be reasonable...im a girl who pray to god ..go to temple and although my mom says im not doing right i spend money outside the temple on poor ppl rather than nourishing the temple treasury...we are not nourishing god..we are nourishing ppl like us...
ReplyDeleteif money is the only motive..then i beg the politicians to increase the security and provide a rush and hassle free viewing of the treasure..increase the tourism to the place...tourism could bring in the money they want..but please donot touch the lords assets.many died protecting it..imajine the honesty the royal family lived for..please..let it not go waste...above all,i beg pathbhanabhaswmy...to protect it with his grace..god be with us
ReplyDeleteI think the valuables and artifacts should be kep in the temple itself and a museum like thing can be made within the premises so that it attracts both tourists and pilgrims. The revenue from there should be used to uplift the Hindu society.
ReplyDelete.
http://www.tattushenoi.blogspot.com
I enjoyed reading your blog, thanks
ReplyDelete