Government plans permanent security for Padmanabhaswamy temple

The Kerala Government today said that it wished to preserve the treasure found from the cellars of Padmanabhaswamy temple but the finaal decision was left to the Supreme Court. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the reporters after the cabinet meeting that it was the wish of the government and majority of the people and also of Hindu organisations to keep the valuable wealth at the temple. He also stated the need for a permanent and stable security system without affecting the tradition and culture of the temple as the present security system was temporary. The system would not come in the way of devotees for conducting darshan at temple. The arrangements also needed the court approval added Oommen Chandy. Stating that the temple is the pride of Kerala, Chandy said, "It is the duty of the state and society to preserve the wealth". However it was for the apex court to take a final decision on the matter, he added. On the quantum of wealth recovered from the temple by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court comprising of High Court judges, Chandy said that nobody was authorised to disclose the value of the wealth. The apex court had asked the committee to take inventory of the articles of the temple. He stated that he had come to understand that the Travancore Royal Family had approached the apex court against disclosing the value of the objects found at the temple. Out of the six cellars, five were opened and the articles found from there had been enlisted on July 4th. The security at the temple has been tightened by deploying trained personnel including armed commandos and 24 hour patrolling put in place. The temple shot into the limelight with the unearthing of a staggering wealth including a stunning range of articles, comprising gold ornaments, idols engraved with precious stones, jewels, heaps of solid gold coins and silver and gold platters and lamps from its cellars. Reported by,      AR