Mysterious dealings, complete authority in temple and political clout; More details about Unnikrishnan Potty

PATHANAMTHITTA: Mystery hovers in the involvement of Bengaluru businessman Unnikrishnan Potty, who took up the sponsorship to coat the layers of the Dwarapalaka sculptures in Sabarimala with gold. It is reported that Potty kept good bonhomie with some officials and priests, so as to have complete freedom in Sabarimala. Potty even allots special darshan facilities to industrialists and others. He makes illegal interventions, even during Padi Pooja. He is also behind the introduction of a new offering called Ashtabhishekam in the temple.

More information is out as the Devaswom Vigilance prepares for a detailed investigation into the incident in which the Dwarapalaka sculptured pedestals were found at the house of Potty’s relative.

Unnikrishnan Potty came to Sabarimala ten years ago as an assistant to Keezh Shanti. He then nurtured close ties with industrialist devotees from other states and abroad. He will arrange facilities for wealthy devotees to perform Padi Pooja.

Previously, there were bookings for Padi Pooja only during the pilgrimage season and monthly poojas. Apart from this, Potty used to bring people to perform Padi Pooja on special days when the temple had to be opened. For this, he even charged a huge amount from devotees.

He became known as a sponsor in 2019 after he brought gold plates from the temple to Tamil Nadu and completed the work. It is alleged that the officials did not investigate, even though the 42 kg plates were reduced to 38 kg when they were returned to the temple.

He had two additional Dwarpalaka pedestals made in 2021 after the gold-plated layers on the Dwarpalaka sculpture, which had a 40-year guarantee, faded. It was controversial that they were taken back to Chennai on September 7 without the permission of the High Court.

The chief Tantri of the temple had earlier expelled Unnikrishnan Potty after his irregular interventions came to the former's notice. Potty, however, returned after establishing connections with prominent figures in politics. He started a new offering called Ashtabhishekam in the temple that previously only conducted Neyyabhishekam and Pushpabhishekam.

1. The Devaswom Board may ask the High Court to conduct a detailed investigation into Unnikrishnan Potty

2. There is suspicion of a conspiracy behind the discovery of the golden pedestal at his relative's house