Gold-Plated Dwarapalaka Panels Return to Sabarimala

Speedy Summary

• The gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian) idols at Sabarimala temple, removed for repair in 2019, were returned from Chennai on Sunday.
• The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) confirmed the return and stated the plates would be reinstalled with the consent of the temple Tantri (priest).
• A controversy arose when discrepancies were found in their recorded weight; they reportedly weighed 42.8 kg before removal but only 38.258 kg during repair submission.
• The Kerala High Court, noting these discrepancies, ordered a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) probe into the matter.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The return of the repaired gold-clad copper plates marks an significant step in addressing concerns over their safe handling and restoration. However,this case highlights potential systemic lapses in accountability regarding precious religious artifacts under institutional care. With noted weight discrepancies sparking suspicion, ensuring transparency during major restorations is critical to maintaining devotees’ trust and avoiding further legal scrutiny.

Moreover, while TDB’s action to update both religious authorities (Tantri) and legal bodies reflects procedural compliance, tangible outcomes from investigations by VACB will determine if any wrongdoing occurred or if procedural safeguards need enhancement for similar cases across temples managed by such boards.