Padmanabha Swamy TempleThiruvananthapuram: The Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is back in news with the Supreme Court asking the amicus curie to explore the possibilities of opening a secret vault to complete an inventory of the famed riches of the temple. A look into the 'B' vault, one of the most mysterious places in India.
The 'B' cell is one of the six vaults of the temple. The vault is hidden behind huge granite doors shut ajar for years. The vault cannot be accessed without breaking the doors. This could weaken the temple, the argument goes.
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An official team has taken an inventory of the temple property but for the contents of the 'B' vault. No attempt has been made to open the vault since June 30, 2011, when one of the examiners cut his leg while trying to open the cell. The Supreme Court had ordered not to touch the cellar until further orders.
The 'E', and 'F' vaults are opened frequently for ritualistic purposes. Gold ornaments in the temple are stored in the 'C' and 'D' vaults. These ornaments are taken out for the festivals. The famed treasures of the temple is kept in the 'A' and possibly the 'B' cellars.
The treasures found in the 'A' cellar were estimated to be worth Rs 1.25 lakh crores. They include gold bars, gold ornaments, golden idols and precious stones. Speculations are high that the 'B' cellar too contains similar riches.
The royal family of Travancore is against the idea of opening the two-level vault. However, the Comptroller and Auditor General has reported that the cellar has been opened seven times in the past.
The royal family insists that the cell has never been opened fully.
