HC orders return of Sabarimala gold plates, raps Devaswom Board for bypassing nod

In a setback to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the immediate return of gold-plated copper sheets taken from Sabarimala’s sanctum sanctorum to Chennai for repair.

The court’s Devaswom Bench, acting on a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, criticised the board for removing the sheets without its sanction. It observed that prior approval was mandatory and there had been ample time to seek it. The court directed the TDB to submit a detailed report on Friday.

The commissioner noted that gold ornament repairs are usually carried out within the temple premises with the High Court’s permission. He urged the court to bar the board from undertaking any major maintenance at Sannidhanam or Malikappuram without prior clearance.

The TDB had earlier denied media reports that the golden Dwarapalaka idols were detached and sent to Chennai. TDB president P S Prasanth clarified that only the copper plates placed above the guardian idols were removed for repair, with the consent of the temple tantri and the board.

Prasanth said the plates were transported under heavy security by Devaswom officials, vigilance police, guards, and a representative of the original sponsor who had donated them. Repairs are being carried out by the same Chennai institution that crafted the plates, with costs covered by the sponsor.

He also cited a tantric recommendation to repair both the plates and the sacred sopana steps. Dismissing the controversy, Prasanth alleged it was an attempt to tarnish the image of the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam scheduled at Pamba on September 20.