Sabarimala Temple: SC appoints ex-Kerala HC judge to prepare inventory of ornaments
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 7
After the controversy over age restriction for entry of women, the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala is in the news for dispute ornaments of Lord Ayyappa.
The Supreme Court on Friday appointed retired Kerala High Court judge CN Ramachandaran Nair to prepare an inventory of ornaments of the deity in view of conflicting claims made by warring factions of the Pandalam Royal family.
It’s widely believed that Pandalam place is where Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala Temple, had his human sojourn as the son of the Raja of Pandalam.
“We are only worried about the safety and security of the sacred ornaments,” a Bench headed by Justice NV Ramana said. It said Justice Nair can take assistance of a jeweller for valuation of the deity’s ornaments and file a report in sealed cover.
The top court asked Attorney General KK Venugopal, representing Kerala government, to use his good offices to amicably resolve the dispute.
While asking Venugopal to assist it about the safety the ornaments, the Bench gave four weeks to the Kerala government to prepare a draft law to administer the Sabarimala Temple.
Earlier, Venugopal told the Bench that when a similar issue arose in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the court had set up a committee to prepare an inventory. There can be a trust which can keep the custody of the ornaments and wondered as to why was royal family resisting the valuation of ornaments and preparation of inventory, he suggested.
Advocate J Sai Deepak, representing the senior most member of the royal family, said the jewellery belonged to the royal family and not to any trust or anybody else.
Senior advocate K Radhakrishnan, appearing for the royal family, objected to Venugopal’s submission, saying it was “an attempt by the state government to take indirect control of the jewellery.”
Raja Raja Varma, a member of Pandalam Royal family, has moved an application for impleadment in the pending matter and sought direction for handing over of the keys of strong room, where jewels are kept in custody of secretary of association ‘Pandalam Kottara Nirvahaka Sangham’, to senior members of the family. Varma claimed he has apprehension that President, treasurer and secretary of the association may do something wrong or misappropriate the sacred jewels.
“Are there only 16 ornaments with the lord Ayyappa, as per the list? There is so much donation given at Sabarimala temple and there are only 16 ornaments with Lord Ayyappa?” the Bench had earlier commented.
