Devaprasnam outcome may stall valuation of temple treasure

The process of valuation of the items unearthed from five secret vaults in the Sree Padmanabha Swami temple is likely to be stalled thanks to the outcome of Devaprasnam. The astrological ritual that ended on Thursday came out with the view that the valuation of the treasure should not be carried out as it is against the will of the temple deity.

The astrologers, Madhur Narayana Bhatt and Irinjalakkuda Padmanabha Sharma, also said that the B chamber, which is yet to be opened, should not be opened. The opening of the chamber might cause serious damage to those who open it and also to the entire nation, they said.

 

The astrologers also instructed the Travancore royal family and its head Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma to perform various religious rituals seeking pardon from Sree Padmanabha Swami.

The deity is dissatisfied over the opening of the chambers and later developments. The items or parts of it, found in the vaults, should not be exhibited since these are treasures of Sree Padmanabha and He doesn't like it. Also, photography and videography should not be carried out.

The outcome of Devaprasnam would jeopardise the functioning of the Supreme Court-appointed experts committee in carrying out the valuation and seeking the possibility of opening the B chamber. Around Rs 1 lakh crore worth treasure, mostly gold, silver and precious stones was found in the five chambers last month. The B chamber, supposed to be the largest, is expected to have more treasure than what found out so far.

The experts committee would meet on August 22 and take a decision on the valuation and opening of the vault, said CV Ananda Bose, chairman of the committee. Now the developments around the treasure have taken a interesting turn with the critical question of whether the will of deity should be implemented or the order of the apex court?

The Devaprasnam started on Monday under the guidance of Tharanelloor Parameshwaran Namboothiripad ended on Thursday.

The decision to perform Devaprasnam was taken on Saturday after a meeting of Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma with the temple tantris. The Travancore royal family is the traditional custodian of the temple and its wealth.  

Earlier, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma in his affidavit before the apex court had pointed out that Devaprasnam should be performed before opening the B chamber. The Supreme Court had neither given sanction to this nor restricted it.

Now the ball is again with the Supreme Court. The tough question is whether Sree Padmanabha temple traditions will prevail or the judiciary.