Repair works on gold-plated panels at Sabarimala can continue; there is lack of clarity in details, says High Court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has allowed repair works on the gold-plated panels of the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala to continue. The court said the work can continue as long as it follows legal procedures. The court also pointed out a lack of clarity in the details regarding the gold plating and asked how much gold was used in the construction.

The court directed that all related records, including the mahazar, be produced by the next hearing. Earlier, the High Court had criticised the removal of the gold-plated panels from Sabarimala and their transfer to Chennai, and had ordered that the panels be brought back.

Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan had submitted a report to the High Court alleging that the gold panels of the Dwarapalaka idols in front of the sanctum were removed without the court's permission. The Devaswom Bench of the court has made it clear that any gold work at Sabarimala must only be done with the court’s approval.

Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth stated that the copper sheets beneath the gold plating had suffered damage, which led to the decision to send the panels to Chennai for repairs. He noted that repair works of the temple doors had already been carried out based on tantric directives in 2023, which stated that repair works of Dwarapalakas, the sacred steps, and the temple doors should be carried out. Another directive, which called for urgent attention to the cracks and fading on the Dwarapalaka panels, prompted permission to remove the panels after the Onam pujas and send them to Chennai. The panels are scheduled to be reinstalled after purification rituals on the third day of the Malayalam month of Kanni. Prasanth also stressed that other reports circulating on the issue are unfounded.