Pathanamthitta , 11 March (H.S): Retired High Court judge and Amicus Curiae Justice K.T. Sankaran will once again visit Sabarimala to oversee the inspection and inventory of valuable items stored in the temple’s strong room. The Travancore Devaswom Board has received official communication stating that the inspection will take place from March 13 to 15.

The inspection is part of an ongoing process mandated by the Kerala High Court to verify and document the valuables kept in the temple’s secure storage facilities. Currently, the examination of items stored in the Aranmula strong room is underway as part of this directive.

According to officials, the present phase of inspection focuses not only on gold ornaments but also on precious gemstones, including coral, sapphire, and diamonds, which are embedded in various temple ornaments and ritual objects. These stones are being examined carefully without removing them from the crowns, gold ornaments, and silver items in which they are set. The process aims to ensure that the original structure of the artefacts remains intact while their authenticity and quantity are verified.

Sabarimala, one of the most visited pilgrimage centres in India, receives large quantities of offerings from devotees every year. These include gold and silver ornaments, precious jewellery, and valuable ritual vessels used for temple ceremonies. All such offerings received as 'Nada Varavu' (temple offerings made at the sanctum) are meticulously recorded in official registers and documented through mahazars (inventory records) maintained by the Devaswom authorities.

Once documented, the items are stored securely in the Sannidhanam strong room at Sabarimala. During the pilgrimage season, these valuables are periodically collected and transferred to the Aranmula strong room for long‑term safe custody.

The ongoing inspection led by Justice Sankaran is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper documentation of these valuable assets belonging to the temple. Officials said the verification process is being carried out with strict security measures and detailed scrutiny of each item.

The High Court-directed audit of the valuables has been progressing in phases, with experts and officials assisting the Amicus Curiae in the identification and verification of ornaments, gemstones, and other precious articles held by the temple authorities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman