Alleging deliberate attempts to malign both the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the sanctity of the Sabarimala temple, the board has decided to approach the High Court, seeking a comprehensive investigation into discrepancies in the weight of gold plated at Sabarimala since 1998, as well as the alleged misuse of the temple under the guise of sponsorship.
In an official statement, the board said it was for the court to decide the nature and scope of such an investigation. It emphasised that the gold-plated sheets were sent to Chennai for repairs strictly following prescribed protocols and that the total gold weight of the 14 sheets increased from 397 gm to 407 gm after the work was completed.
The board also noted that following the repair works of 2019, a 40-year warranty was assured for these sheets by Smart Creations and the sponsor. This warranty was the basis on which the TDB requested the sponsor in 2025 to carry out the repairs.
Dismissing allegations of misappropriation of 4 kg of gold, the board said such unfounded claims were intended to tarnish its image and undermine the sanctity of the temple.
As part of the Gold Monetisation Scheme and under the directives of the High Court, the Travancore Devaswom Board had already transferred 467 kg of gold to the Reserve Bank after subjecting it to a state audit. The board had meticulously categorised all valuables under the supervision of the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and submitted these records to the court.
