A century-old temple and its priceless treasures have brought the ever-squabbling BJP government at the Centre and the LDF government of Kerala on the same page. Both the governments are keen on a proposal to exhibit the priceless antiques kept hidden in the vaults of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, provided the Supreme Court and the Travancore royal family agree to this ambitious idea.
The proposal is to have a world-class museum-cum-exhibition centre, which will offer a visual treat to everyone who wants to have a glimpse of treasures—estimated to be worth billions of dollars—which had been lying hidden in the ancient vaults inside the temple. The treasures, discovered at a depth of 20 feet underground include golden idols, golden elephants and idols wearing 18-foot diamond necklaces, as well as countless bags of gold coins from around the world—all the antiques are estimated to be worth billions of dollars. It also has an amazing collection of rubies and emeralds.
Both the Union government and the state government are learnt to have evinced interest in the project, which is being pushed by various bodies including the Confederation of Indian Industry, Chamber of Commerce and Confederation of Tourism Industries.
“We discussed the idea first with Union Tourism Minister (Alphons) Kannanthanam. He got very interested and even got the go-ahead from the PMO,” E.M. Najeeb, a prominent figure in the state's tourism industry, told The WEEK. According to him, the team also met with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who evinced “keen interest” in the project.
“We have been told that it is pertinent to get the approval of the Travancore royal family and the SC before taking any solid step,” he said.
When asked about the reaction from the royal family, Najeeb said that they are yet to be contacted as the family members are travelling. “We plan to approach the SC and the royal family after working out a detailed project proposal. The safety and security of the treasures will be ensured with most modern technologies,” he said.
According to him, the proposed exhibition centre has the potential to take Kerala tourism to the next level. “Nowhere in the world will one get a chance to have a glance at the priceless collection of antiques at one place. This museum will be one of the wonders of the world. Tourists from the world over will flock to see it,” he said.
The proposal, however, has not gone down well with those administering the temple right now. “It will pose a huge security risk... The treasures inside the temple are invaluable... Exhibiting them is unthinkable,” said an official with the temple.
The Supreme Court, in 2014, had appointed a seven-member committee to take stock of the valuables in the secret vaults following a squabble between stakeholders over the control of the temple. As per the inventory submitted to the SC, Vault A itself contained 2,000 pounds of gold coins, dating to around 200 BC. It also had a pure golden throne adorned with hundreds of diamonds and precious stones, meant as a seat for the 18-foot-long deity; moreover, gold crowns have been found. The vault also contained loose diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones.
Chamber B, a highly mysterious one with an enormous steel door with two massive cobras painted on it, is yet to be opened.
“These are valuables accumulated in the temple over several thousands of years, having been donated to the deity by various dynasties and kings,” said Umamaheshwari, a temple historian.
Ever since the treasures were discovered, the temple has been witnessing a huge inflow of tourists/devotees, especially from the north. “The very news that there is treasure inside the temple has been bringing unmanageable number of people to the temple, despite the fact that nothing is on display. And if they are put on display, the scene would be unmanageable,'' said the temple official.
Despite the interest shown by the Union and the state governments, the future of this ambitious proposal to have a world class-exhibition centre depends on the responses of the SC, which is at present hearing a case regarding the administration of the temple, and the Travancore royal family.
Amid all the cacophony, the centuries-old temple stands as serene and mysterious as ever.