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Kerala High Court Orders Vigilance Probe into Missing 4.54 kg Gold from Sabarimala Dwarapalaka Idols

Court flags alarming weight loss during 2019 re-plating; questions Travancore Devaswom Board over lapses

Three-week deadline for detailed report; temple management told to fully cooperate with investigation

By Our Legal Reporter

Kochi, September 18, 2025:
The Kerala High Court has ordered a vigilance investigation into the unexplained disappearance of 4.54 kilograms of gold from the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the famed Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.

A division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar described the discrepancy as an “alarming” and “glaring” shortfall that demands a comprehensive probe. The Court has directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) — an officer of Superintendent of Police rank — to lead the investigation and submit a detailed report within three weeks.

The Discrepancy

According to court records, the gold-clad copper plates covering the Dwarapalaka idols were removed in 2019 for repair and fresh gold-plating. At the time of removal, the plates weighed 42.8 kg.

However, when they were presented to Smart Creations, a Chennai-based firm contracted for the re-plating, the weight had dropped to 38.258 kg — a shortfall of 4.541 kg.

After re-plating, the weight rose slightly to 38.65 kg, but still fell far short of the original weight recorded before removal.

“If it were petrol, the weight loss would be understandable. But since it was gold, how could it have lost weight?” the bench remarked, underscoring the seriousness of the matter.

Background of the Idols

The Dwarapalaka idols — meaning “door guardians” in Sanskrit — were installed at Sabarimala in 1999 with official sanction and a 40-year warranty on their gold plating.

However, defects in the plating appeared within just six years, prompting the TDB to undertake repairs.

In 2019, the TDB removed the gold-plated copper plates without prior approval from the Special Commissioner or the Court — a move that has now come under judicial scrutiny.

Role of the Sponsor

The repair work was sponsored by devotee Unnikrishnan Potti, who transported the plates to Chennai more than a month after their removal.

The Court noted that the delay and lack of proper documentation raised serious questions about the handling of valuable temple property.

Court’s Directions

The High Court has issued strict instructions to ensure transparency and accountability:

Comprehensive Probe:
- The Chief Vigilance and Security Officer must examine all records, registers, and documents related to the removal, transport, and re-plating of the plates.
Full Cooperation:
- The TDB must hand over all relevant registers and extend complete cooperation to the vigilance team.
Inspection of Other Items:
- Officials must inspect other gold-plated items at the temple and store them securely in the temple’s strong room.
Report Deadline:
- The vigilance officer must submit a detailed report to the Court within three weeks.

Administrative Lapses

The Court has also questioned why the TDB failed to report the weight loss at the time and why the removal of the plates was carried out without proper authorisation.

It criticised the “casual manner” in which the valuable items were handed over to a private sponsor without following established protocols.

Significance of the Case

The Sabarimala temple is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in India, attracting millions of devotees annually. Offerings in the form of gold and money are made with the belief that they will be used for divine service and pilgrim welfare.

The Court’s intervention underscores the principle that faith and transparency in temple administration must never be compromised.

Past Concerns Over Gold Plating

This is not the first time the temple’s gold plating projects have come under scrutiny.

Questions have previously been raised over the cost, transparency, and execution of such initiatives. The latest revelation has intensified calls for greater accountability in managing temple wealth.

Devotee Reactions

The news has sparked outrage among devotees, many of whom have expressed deep anguish over the apparent negligence.

“Offerings are for divine service, not negligence,” said one devotee, reflecting a sentiment widely shared on social media and in temple circles.

Next Steps

The vigilance probe will now focus on:

Tracing the chain of custody of the gold-plated plates.
Identifying any lapses or misconduct by officials or contractors.
Recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Court is expected to review the vigilance report in its next hearing, which could lead to further legal or administrative action.

About the Dwarapalaka Idols

In Hindu temple architecture, Dwarapalas are imposing sculptures placed at the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. They are considered guardians of the deity and are often richly decorated to reflect the sanctity of the space.

At Sabarimala, the gold-clad Dwarapalaka idols are an integral part of the shrine’s heritage and visual grandeur.