‘Baseless’: Padmanabhaswamy Temple Rejects Reports Of Missing Gold Bars, Valuables

The management of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Wednesday rejected media reports of missing valuables and serious security lapses at the shrine, calling them “baseless and false.” In a press statement, the temple executive officer described allegations of missing valuables, improper handling of devotees’ offerings and security breaches as “malicious” attempts to tarnish the image of the historic temple and mislead the public.

“The treasures of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple are safeguarded with the highest standards of security and reverence,” it said.

It added that the temple premises are under continuous CCTV surveillance managed by the temple security wing and police, and movement of valuable articles, if required, is carried out only with due

intimation to the security authorities and in their presence.

According to the statement, staff members are subjected to frisking while entering and exiting the temple premises, and no incident of theft or misappropriation has occurred.

The temple authorities urged devotees and the public not to be misled by what they described as unfounded rumours.

“The temple has always stood as a symbol of faith, devotion and cultural heritage. We assure all devotees that their trust in the Temple remains fully justified and there is no cause for concern or loss of faith,” the statement added.

The clarification came in the wake of media reports claiming that valuables worth crores of rupees had gone missing from the temple.

A section of the media reported that around 78 grams of gold bars and coins received as offerings were allegedly missing from the shrine.

Reports also claimed that a copy of a letter sent by the state police chief to the additional chief secretary, pointing to serious security lapses in the temple, had surfaced.

In 2011, several underground vaults at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple were opened for the first time, following a Supreme Court order to list the temple’s assets.

Of the six known vaults, five were opened and inventoried, revealing a vast collection of gold, jewellery and precious stones estimated to be worth billions of dollars. Vault B, however, remains sealed due to religious sensitivities.

In 2020, the Supreme Court upheld the rights of the erstwhile royals of the princely state of Travancore to administer the temple and its riches.