4.45 Kg Gold ‘Missing’ From Sabarimala Temple, Kerala High Court Orders Probe

Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 21:07 IST

Kerala HC orders Devaswom Vigilance probe into 4.45 kg missing gold from Sabarimala temple, questioning Travancore Devaswom Board and raising concerns over temple management

The court ordered an inspection of gold-plated items, including the Dwarapalaka statues and associated structures.

A controversy has erupted over the mysterious disappearance of gold from the revered Sabarimala temple in Kerala, prompting the High Court to step in and order a vigilance probe. The issue, which has now cast a shadow over temple management practices, relates to the gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum carried out in 2019.

According to reports, nearly 42 kgs of gold had been taken from the temple’s treasury for the project. The plan was to subject these plates to a specialised re-plating process before reinstalling them in the sanctum sanctorum (Sannidhanam).

However, when the refurbished plates were returned and installed, it was discovered that their weight had fallen to approximately 38 kgs, pointing to a shortfall of around 4.45 kgs of gold.

Taking serious note of the development, the Kerala High Court observed that such a discrepancy was inexplicable. “If it were petrol, the weight loss would be understandable, but since it was gold, how could it have lost weight?” the bench remarked, questioning the temple administration over the missing metal.

Stressing that the faith and transparency associated with temple property must never be compromised, the court directed the Devaswom Vigilance to launch an investigation and submit a report within three weeks.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Sabarimala temple, has been instructed to extend full cooperation. The court further ordered an inspection of other gold-plated items, including the Dwarapalaka statues and associated structures, and directed that they be stored securely in the temple’s strong room.

This is not the first time that the temple’s gold plating project has come under scrutiny. Questions have previously been raised over the cost, transparency, and execution of the initiative. The latest revelation, however, has raised fresh doubts over accountability in managing temple wealth.

Devotees expressed deep anguish at the development. Many pointed out that offerings in the form of gold and money are given with the belief that they will be used for divine service and pilgrim welfare, not lost to negligence or mismanagement. The Sabarimala temple, which draws millions of pilgrims each year after 41 days of penance and fasting, holds immense spiritual significance, making the loss of even a single gram of gold a matter of public concern.

The case, now under judicial and public scrutiny, has placed the temple administration in an uncomfortable spotlight.

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