Asha P Nair
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The hidden treasure is out in the open. Debates are on as to what should be done with the mountain of wealth. But the million dollar question remains unanswered. Who does this money belong to the Lord or to his people? Even the historians seem divided in tackling the tricky question.
If there is one factor that mesmerises historians, it is that Padmanabhaswamy Temple here has remained unscathed by invasions of any sort in the past. Whether the rich temples next door in Tamil Nadu or up in the Northern states like Rajasthan, none has escaped from the eyes of plunderers. But Padmanabhaswamy Temple did, the reason why such a huge wealth accumulated, historians think. But the argument that it is people's money does not stand any ground with many of them. "The tax collected from people went into the tax treasury, and the presents, tributes to the Lord and possibly the wealth accumulated by winning battles, went into the temple treasury. 'Mathilakom' (related to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple) documents clearly state that tax treasury was called 'karuvalam' and temple treasury was 'ituveippu'. So, there is no confusion, the treasure now unearthed belongs to the Lord,'' says historian M G Sasibhushan. Backing the opinion is another renowned historian M G S Narayanan who says that it was the 'ettarayogam' which had handled the money of the Lord initially."Our history puts it down clearly that the money belongs to the temple. The treasury was different those times," he says. Therefore, the money should not be given out. "It is legally and morally wrong to take the money out of the temple. It should be preserved," he adds. However, there are those who endorse the view that going by the kind of measureless wealth that has been discovered, it may not be just the donations and offerings but some of people's money too.
Main article: Secret chambers of Padmanabha Swami temple
In 2011, the Supreme Court of India directed the authorities from the fire services and archeology department to open the secret (sanctum sanctorum) chambers of the temple for inspection of the items kept inside. The inspections at the temple began after the Supreme Court set aside a Kerala High Court order that the state government take over the temple, but asked for the inventory of its assets. The high court order was given after a local lawyer, Sundar Rajan, petitioned it because, he alleged, the trust running the temple did not have the capacity to ensure the security of its assets. On 2 July 2011, approximately Rs 500 billion (US$11.15 billion) worth of gold, jewels, and other treasures were unearthed in the vaults of the temple. Several 18th century Napoleonic era coins were found, as well as a three-and-a-half feet tall gold idol of Mahavishnu studded with rubies and emeralds, and ceremonial attire for adorning the deity in the form of 16-part gold anki weighing almost 30 kilograms (66 lb) together with gold coconut shells, one studded with rubies and emeralds. The Kerala High Court recently ordered the temple be managed by the State to ensure the security of the temple and its treasures. This ruling was set aside by the Supreme Court. The Temple remains under the control of a private trust run by the Royal family.
This revelation has solidified the status of the Padmanabhaswamy temple as one of the wealthiest temples in India and with the final estimate of the wealth, it might overtake the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple—hitherto thought to be the wealthiest temple—having some Rs.320 billion (US$7.14 billion) in gold, coins and other treasures. It is estimated that the value of the monumental items is close to Rs.1 trillion (US$22.3 billion), making it the richest temple in the world. If the antique value is taken into account, this treasure will be worth 10 times the current market price.
The treasure is thought to have been in the temple for more than one hundred years, having been put there by traders, pilgrims and royals such as the maharajahs of Travancore. While some historians have suggested that a major chunk of the stored riches reached the kings in the form of tax, gift and bribes, as well as looted wealth of conquered states and temples stocked in the temple for safekeeping, there is also clear evidence that the Royal family which has looked after the temple for centuries have lead a very austere and simple life, thus belying claims of hoarding for personal use. A ferry transported traders, pilgrims and chroniclers from the Tenavaram temple, the famously wealthy Vishnu temple town and Tamil emporium to the Chera and Chola kingdoms of Tamilakkam via Puttalam on the western shore of Ceylon (then an extension of Malabar Kerala) and the Gulf of Mannar during the medieval period. This temple was destroyed in 1587 CE, a few years after the Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy temple gopuram was constructed. Morrocan traveller Ibn Batuta visited Tenavaram in the 14th century and described the Vishnu idol here as being made of gold and the size of a man with two large rubies as eyes "that lit up like lanterns during the night." All people living within the vicinity of the temple and who visited it were fed with monetary endowments that were made to the idol.
The findings represent the highest valued assets at present, saved in secret chambers by the royal families.
The temple has 6 vaults (Kallaras), labeled as A to F for book keeping purpose by the Court, that are hidden under the sanctum sanctorum. While vaults A and B have been unopened over the past 130 years, vaults C to F have been opened from time to time. The two priests of the temple, the 'Periya Nambi' and the 'Thekkedom Nambi', are the custodians of the four vaults, C to F, which are opened periodically. The Supreme Court had directed that "the existing practices, procedures and rituals" of the temple be followed while opening vaults C to F and using the articles inside. Vaults A and B shall be opened only for the purpose of making an inventory of the articles and then closed.
On July 4, 2011 the seven-member expert team which is taking stock of the assets at temple decided to postpone opening of the secret chamber marked 'B' till they obtained more expert opinion as preliminary examination of its gates had found the vault to be secured with iron shutters making experts wonder what lay inside. The royal family said that many legends were attached to the temple and that chamber B has a model of a snake on the main door and opening it could be a bad omen.
Express News Service
Last Updated : 04 Jul 2011 08:46:01 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The hidden treasure is out in the open. Debates are on as to what should be done with the mountain of wealth. But the million dollar question remains unanswered. Who does this money belong to the Lord or to his people? Even the historians seem divided in tackling the tricky question.If there is one factor that mesmerises historians, it is that Padmanabhaswamy Temple here has remained unscathed by invasions of any sort in the past. Whether the rich temples next door in Tamil Nadu or up in the Northern states like Rajasthan, none has escaped from the eyes of plunderers. But Padmanabhaswamy Temple did, the reason why such a huge wealth accumulated, historians think. But the argument that it is people's money does not stand any ground with many of them. "The tax collected from people went into the tax treasury, and the presents, tributes to the Lord and possibly the wealth accumulated by winning battles, went into the temple treasury. 'Mathilakom' (related to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple) documents clearly state that tax treasury was called 'karuvalam' and temple treasury was 'ituveippu'. So, there is no confusion, the treasure now unearthed belongs to the Lord,'' says historian M G Sasibhushan. Backing the opinion is another renowned historian M G S Narayanan who says that it was the 'ettarayogam' which had handled the money of the Lord initially."Our history puts it down clearly that the money belongs to the temple. The treasury was different those times," he says. Therefore, the money should not be given out. "It is legally and morally wrong to take the money out of the temple. It should be preserved," he adds. However, there are those who endorse the view that going by the kind of measureless wealth that has been discovered, it may not be just the donations and offerings but some of people's money too.
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Treasure trove (from Wikipedia)Main article: Secret chambers of Padmanabha Swami temple
In 2011, the Supreme Court of India directed the authorities from the fire services and archeology department to open the secret (sanctum sanctorum) chambers of the temple for inspection of the items kept inside. The inspections at the temple began after the Supreme Court set aside a Kerala High Court order that the state government take over the temple, but asked for the inventory of its assets. The high court order was given after a local lawyer, Sundar Rajan, petitioned it because, he alleged, the trust running the temple did not have the capacity to ensure the security of its assets. On 2 July 2011, approximately Rs 500 billion (US$11.15 billion) worth of gold, jewels, and other treasures were unearthed in the vaults of the temple. Several 18th century Napoleonic era coins were found, as well as a three-and-a-half feet tall gold idol of Mahavishnu studded with rubies and emeralds, and ceremonial attire for adorning the deity in the form of 16-part gold anki weighing almost 30 kilograms (66 lb) together with gold coconut shells, one studded with rubies and emeralds. The Kerala High Court recently ordered the temple be managed by the State to ensure the security of the temple and its treasures. This ruling was set aside by the Supreme Court. The Temple remains under the control of a private trust run by the Royal family.
This revelation has solidified the status of the Padmanabhaswamy temple as one of the wealthiest temples in India and with the final estimate of the wealth, it might overtake the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple—hitherto thought to be the wealthiest temple—having some Rs.320 billion (US$7.14 billion) in gold, coins and other treasures. It is estimated that the value of the monumental items is close to Rs.1 trillion (US$22.3 billion), making it the richest temple in the world. If the antique value is taken into account, this treasure will be worth 10 times the current market price.
The treasure is thought to have been in the temple for more than one hundred years, having been put there by traders, pilgrims and royals such as the maharajahs of Travancore. While some historians have suggested that a major chunk of the stored riches reached the kings in the form of tax, gift and bribes, as well as looted wealth of conquered states and temples stocked in the temple for safekeeping, there is also clear evidence that the Royal family which has looked after the temple for centuries have lead a very austere and simple life, thus belying claims of hoarding for personal use. A ferry transported traders, pilgrims and chroniclers from the Tenavaram temple, the famously wealthy Vishnu temple town and Tamil emporium to the Chera and Chola kingdoms of Tamilakkam via Puttalam on the western shore of Ceylon (then an extension of Malabar Kerala) and the Gulf of Mannar during the medieval period. This temple was destroyed in 1587 CE, a few years after the Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy temple gopuram was constructed. Morrocan traveller Ibn Batuta visited Tenavaram in the 14th century and described the Vishnu idol here as being made of gold and the size of a man with two large rubies as eyes "that lit up like lanterns during the night." All people living within the vicinity of the temple and who visited it were fed with monetary endowments that were made to the idol.
The findings represent the highest valued assets at present, saved in secret chambers by the royal families.
The temple has 6 vaults (Kallaras), labeled as A to F for book keeping purpose by the Court, that are hidden under the sanctum sanctorum. While vaults A and B have been unopened over the past 130 years, vaults C to F have been opened from time to time. The two priests of the temple, the 'Periya Nambi' and the 'Thekkedom Nambi', are the custodians of the four vaults, C to F, which are opened periodically. The Supreme Court had directed that "the existing practices, procedures and rituals" of the temple be followed while opening vaults C to F and using the articles inside. Vaults A and B shall be opened only for the purpose of making an inventory of the articles and then closed.
On July 4, 2011 the seven-member expert team which is taking stock of the assets at temple decided to postpone opening of the secret chamber marked 'B' till they obtained more expert opinion as preliminary examination of its gates had found the vault to be secured with iron shutters making experts wonder what lay inside. The royal family said that many legends were attached to the temple and that chamber B has a model of a snake on the main door and opening it could be a bad omen.
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