The Kerala High Court has ordered an inquiry into the originality and quality of the gold used in the Ettumannur temple’s Ezharaponnana artefacts.
The court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board’s Chief Vigilance and Security Officer to inspect the temple registers and the sacred elephant statuettes, and to submit a report. It also asked that a smith be involved so the weight, quality, and originality of the gold can be properly examined.
The case began after a devotee alleged that the gold plates on the Ezharaponnana had been repaired and that the original gold may have been replaced with copper or other low-value metal. The board’s own officers had said they found no record of maintenance or misappropriation, but the court said independent verification was still needed.
The matter has now been posted for further hearing on July 31.
Kerala High Court orders probe into the originality of gold in Ettumannur temple’s Ezharaponnana, seeking independent verification of the sacred artefacts.
