Kerala Govt Seeks Report Over Alleged Missing Gold at Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The Kerala government has sought a detailed report from the administrative panel of the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple following allegations that valuables worth crores of rupees were missing from the shrine in Thiruvananthapuram.

Kerala Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan on Wednesday confirmed that the government had received a police report regarding alleged missing offerings and possible security lapses at the temple. According to media reports, around 78 grams of gold bars and coins offered by devotees were allegedly unaccounted for.

Reports also claimed that a letter from the state police chief to the additional chief secretary had pointed to serious security concerns at the temple complex. Muraleedharan said the matter had been discussed with the home minister and that the home department had sought clarification from the temple’s administrative panel, which functions under court monitoring and includes representatives from both the state and central governments.

“The tendency to plunder temple assets is increasing and such incidents are unacceptable,” the minister said, referring to concerns over protection of temple wealth in Kerala.

However, the temple administration strongly denied the allegations, calling the reports “baseless and false.” In an official statement, temple authorities said the shrine’s treasures are protected under strict security protocols , including round-the-clock CCTV surveillance jointly monitored by temple security personnel and the police.

Authorities also stated that all movement of valuables takes place only under official supervision and that staff members are frisked while entering and leaving the premises.

The controversy has revived public attention on the immense wealth of the temple , which came into global focus in 2011 when several underground vaults were opened following a Supreme Court order. The inventory revealed gold, jewels and precious artefacts estimated to be worth billions of dollars, while the mysterious Vault B remains sealed due to religious sensitivities.