Temple run 3 engineering1/6/2024 For all practical purposes, the temple is under the government of Kerala.Īlso Read | The Secret Currency: Managing money need not be a man’s job onlyĪs the news of treasures being discovered attracted media attention, both Indian and international, it also triggered questions and debates. Today the royal family’s role is limited to opinions on rituals and festivals. The Supreme Court appointed an amicus curie around 2010 and issued guidelines for administering the temple. The discovery of the treasure thickened legal battles. It snowballed into litigation in 2010 and stock taking under instructions of the Supreme Court. But then came allegations of pilferage of treasure, allegedly held in its secret chambers. After his death in 1991, other members of the family took control of the temple. The temple continued to be under the then retired maharaja, Sri Chithira Thirunal, who ruled for two decades, and was held in reverence by many even when he led a secluded life. But it was king Marthanda Varma of Travancore, who brought the temple into the political system by dedicating the state to the deity, and declaring himself to be Padmanabha dasa, a servant of the deity - cleverly legitimising his political authority.ĭescendents of Marthanda Varma ruled the southern part of Kerala (Travancore) till 1956, when the state of Kerala came in to being and monarchy ended. Though a seat of brahmanical power, the tradition relating to the origin of the temple interestingly refers to the role of a Pulaya (Dalit) woman discovering divine presence. Tradition dates this temple to 3100 BC, but historic evidence dates it to at least the 5th century AD, based on references in the works of great Vaishnava saints. The deity of the temple, lord Padmanabha (a form of lord Vishnu), however, continues to be in deep slumber (“Yoga nidra” as tradition goes) on a bed of coiled snakes. Besides more fame, the temple also attracted unending debates and controversies around it. Trivandrum quickly became known as the city housing the richest temple of India and the world, overshadowing the Tirupathi temple in Andhra Pradesh. One more major chamber hasn’t even been opened yet. Out came antique gold ornaments, diamonds, golden idols, crowns, coins, necklaces and vessels studded with precious stones - a partial estimate of it all came to a staggering US $22 billion (discounting the antique value).
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