Kerala High Court Directs Travancore Devaswom Board To Bring Back Gold-Plated "Dwarapalaka Idols" To Sabarimala's Sannidhanam

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (September 10) directed the Travancore Devaswom Board and others to bring back from Chennai the gold-plated copper coverings over the "Dwarapalaka Idols", which are located on the sides of the Sreekovil in Sabarimala.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the direction while considering a suo motu proceedings initiated on the basis of a report submitted by the Special Commissioner.As per the report, the Special Commissioner had stated that the gold-plated copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols were removed without any intimation to the Commissioner, and then transported to Chennai, supposedly for repair works. It is also reported that ordinarily, such repair works of gold ornaments are carried out in the temple premises itself.Referring to its order dated 20.06.2023 in SSCR No. 13/2023, the Court stated that similar behaviour was deprecated by it earlier itself with the Devaswom Commissioner, the Executive Officer, and the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner being party to the proceedings. It observed:"Having considered the submissions advanced on behalf of the Devaswom Board and in the light of the earlier order, we are of the considered view that the action of the Board in detaching the gold-plated copper coverings over the idols without prior intimation to the Special Commissioner and without seeking appropriate orders from this Court cannot be countenanced." The Court also questioned the need for repair works at this point of time, when only six years have passed since the gold plating, when there was a a warranty period of forty years. It opined that the works should have been undertaken in the premises itself instead of being removed and sent to Chennai.It also highlighted the need for strict procedural compliance with respect to the temple property and observed further, "We are, therefore, of the firm view that the removal of the gold platings without prior written intimation, followed by their immediate transportation to Chennai, amounts to an unwarranted and irregular exercise. The requirement of prior intimation in writing to the Devaswom Commissioner is not a mere procedural formality; it is a vital safeguard intended to ensure proper checks and balances so that temple property remains adequately protected and is not subjected to waste, misuse, or loss."After suo motu impleading the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner as the additional 6th respondent, the Court asked the Devaswom Commissioner, the Executive Officer, and the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner show cause why action shall not be taken against them for wilful violation of the earlier binding directions.It also directed the respondents to put a stop to the repair works carried out in Chennai and transport the gold plated coverings back to Sannidhanam. A further direction was given to produce before it the entire file and records relating to the repairs of the same.The case will come up before the Court on September 12 (Friday).Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.Case No: SSCR No. 23 of 2025Click to Read/Download OrderClick to Read/Download Judgment in SSCR No. 13 of 2023

Kerala High Court Directs Travancore Devaswom Board To Bring Back Gold-Plated "Dwarapalaka Idols" To Sabarimala's Sannidhanam

K. Salma Jennath

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