Value of Recoveries at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple touched Rs 1 lakh crore

The stock-taking by a panel of experts at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Kerela catapulted the shrine to the country’s richest. According to the Supreme Court appointed seven members panel that began its finings on 30 June 2011, the value of recoveries at the temple touched close to Rs 1 lakh crore, more than Kerala public debt of Rs 70969 crore. Around 1,000kg of gold coins, from times of Napoleon and East India Company was unearthed. 1 tonne gold in the form of rice-shaped trinkets, ropes & ornaments Sackful of diamonds from Myanmar & Sri Lanka was found. There was found a three-and-a-half ft tall idol of Lord Vishnu studded with diamonds, emeralds and rubies, an 18-ft-long ornament used to adorn the deity. 1 ft tall human figurines weighing 1kg each were also unearthed. The value is likely to further rise with the opening of another secret vault.

There were coins marked 1772 indicating they were from the era of former Travancore ruler Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma.

The Supreme Court-appointed committee however refused to confirm reports about the value of the recoveries. The committee mentioned that the wealth belonged to the temple and it will be preserved where it was found.

Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy has promised security for the massive treasure unearthed at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple. Police would patrol the shrine 24X7 and a control room would be put in operation. Permanent security arrangements will be put in place only after consultations with the chief priest and the Travancore king who is the caretaker of the shrine

Historians are of the opinion that the A and B cellars were never been opened after 1872. There are six vaults marked A to F in the shrine.