Thousands of gold necklaces, invaluable diamonds, some 1,500 golden pots used for temple rituals, jewelled crown and robes, golden bells and rods, and 750 kg of gold coins are among the 42,000 holy treasures listed.Thiruvananthapuram: The priceless treasures held in the underground vaults of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the Kerala capital could go on public display, if a Rs 300-crore plan gets the nod from the Travancore royal family and the Supreme Court.
Prominent civic and industry bodies in Thiruvananthapuram have discussed the plan with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and union minister Alphons Kannanthanam. Both of them supported the initiative, but insisted that a clearance from the royals and the apex court is essential.
The draft plan has been drawn up by a group led by the Confederation of Indian Industries, Chamber of Commerce, Trivandrum City Connect, Trivandrum Agenda Task Force and Confederation of Tourism Industries. Public exhibition of the treasures is expected to give a massive boost to tourism in the state; in fact the treasures are considered to hold the potential to become another wonder of the world.
The proposal is to set up an exhibition centre near the temple itself. The estimated outlay of Rs 300 crore covers the expenditure to be incurred for scientific organisation of the precious jewellery and artefacts as well as world-class security that is imperative for a public display.
Visitors could return some Rs 50 crore annually, the plan visualises.
Kannanthanam, in his discussions with the proposers of the plan, said he doesn't see any hurdles for Central funds if the royal family and the apex court clear the proposal. Later, the Kerala CM told them that the state government will lend all support if other clearances are obtained.
They also talked to state minister Kadakampally Surendran, who is in charge of tourism and temple affairs.
The organisations will prepare a detailed plan, obtain the royal family's consent and proceed to seek authorisation from the Supreme Court and the Central and State governments.
Incomparable treasures
The treasures are held in the six underground vaults in the temple, A, B, C, D, E and F. Thousands of gold necklaces, invaluable diamonds, some 1,500 golden pots used for temple rituals, jewelled crown and robes, golden bells and rods, and 750 kg of gold coins are among the 42,000 holy treasures listed.
The B vault has not been opened yet. The hidden treasures in the temple were revealed when an expert panel appointed by the Supreme Court evaluated them, except those in the B vault.
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