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In January 9, 1945, the then Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, visited the Tirumala shrine. He offered Lord Venkateswara a necklace he had worn as a child.
How a 2018 Allegation by the Chief Priest Sparked a Nationwide Hunt for a Missing Gem
In 2018, Tirumala Temple’s chief priest Ramana Dikshitulu shook the nation with a startling claim: an extremely valuable pink diamond gifted to Lord Venkateswara had vanished. The allegation sparked heated debate and even rippled into the 2019 elections, turning a sacred relic into a political flashpoint.
Now, after years of speculation, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has delivered a quieter but decisive conclusion that the legendary pink diamond never existed. Following a detailed study, ASI experts confirmed that the gemstone at the heart of the controversy is not a rare diamond at all but a red stone, most likely a ruby.
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How the Story Began
The rumor traced back to January 9, 1945, when the then Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, visited the Tirumala shrine. He offered Lord Venkateswara a necklace he had worn as a child. Over decades, whispers grew that the Maharaja’s gift contained a priceless pink diamond, making it one of the temple’s most storied possessions.
Muniratnam Reddy, director of ASI’s Epigraphy division in Mysuru, led the fact-finding effort. He reached out to Maharani Pramoda Devi of Mysore and examined the original palace records.
Those documents describe the necklace as set with rubies and assorted gems but make no mention of any pink diamond. Local reports add that the necklace, crafted in Delhi for Rs 8,500 in the 1940s, was valued for its artistry rather than rare stones.
Myth Versus Reality
The ASI’s findings deflate years of intrigue. What many believed to be a missing diamond turns out to be an ordinary ruby, though steeped in royal history. For devotees and historians alike, the revelation shifts the story from one of theft or loss to a simple case of mistaken identity.
While the gemstone drama winds down, life at Tirumala presses on. With just weeks left before the annual Srivari Brahmotsavam, temple authorities are focused on welcoming the influx of pilgrims.
The new Executive Officer, Singhal, has instructed staff to safeguard the temple’s sanctity while enhancing services for devotees. Plans include gathering visitor feedback and using modern technology to streamline crowd management and improve the overall experience.
The ASI’s conclusion not only settles a five-year controversy but also highlights the value of archival records and careful investigation over rumor. It is a reminder that even sacred legends deserve rigorous scrutiny. For devotees, the necklace remains a revered offering, but the tale of a vanished pink diamond now belongs to the realm of myth.
About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 12, 2025, 15:11 IST
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