The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) faces a significant hurdle in a crucial project: repairing the gold-plated doors of the revered Sabarimala temple. As the board prepares for the reinstallation of gold-clad copper plates on the Dwarapalaka idols on October 17th, the broader repair of the temple’s main doors has unexpectedly stalled.
With the annual pilgrimage season fast approaching, the vital repair work is now shrouded in uncertainty. The primary cause for this halt is a strict ban on bringing mercury into the hill temple, which is located within a protected tiger reserve.
Although the TDB had successfully secured necessary permissions from both the High Court and the Tantri for the repair work at the Sannidhanam, the logistical and regulatory complexities have effectively blocked progress. The idea of removing the doors from the hillock for off-site repair is also proving challenging, particularly given the ongoing controversy surrounding ‘missing gold’ from earlier plating efforts.
TDB president P.S. Prasanth confirmed the predicament, explaining that the ban on mercury aligns with India’s obligations as a signatory to the Minamata Convention. He stated, “The doors desperately need repairs before the upcoming Mandalam season, but our plans have hit an immovable barrier. The Forest Department has explicitly denied permission to transport mercury to the hillock.”
Furthermore, officials have hinted that the TDB is hesitant to even request permission to move the doors off the premises for repairs, understanding the heightened sensitivities surrounding such an action.
Adding to the board’s woes, the Devaswom Vigilance team continues its investigation into the 2019 gold-plating scandal. Evidence has already been collected against Unnikrishnan Potti, the project sponsor, who is accused of unauthorizedly displaying the golden door in various locations to solicit funds.
Amidst these challenges, the TDB has also brought to light a concerning “informal business ecosystem” operating independently and profiting under the guise of Lord Ayyappa’s name. Mr. Prasanth elaborated, “This network primarily comprises individuals who once worked at Sabarimala, though not directly under the board. They leverage past associations to collect money from devotees, claiming to act on behalf of the deity. We’ve identified their operations in major cities like Chennai and Bengaluru.”
Mr. Prasanth asserted that this illicit network had previously colluded with certain senior Devaswom Board officials, citing Mr. Potti’s ongoing investigation as just one of many such instances. He emphasized the necessity for a thorough investigation to determine if any current board members are involved in these rackets. “It is precisely because of this situation that we intend to petition the High Court for a comprehensive probe into all matters affecting Sabarimala,” he added.
Looking ahead, Mr. Prasanth noted that addressing this issue would be a central theme at next year’s second Global Ayyappa Sangamam. This event aims to establish direct communication channels, enabling devotees to interact with the Sabarimala temple authorities without needing intermediaries.