A vault and mysteries surrounding it

The universe is filled with mysteries and secrets, and it is human nature to try and find the key to unlock them. But unlike exploring scientific mysteries, digging into the foundations of beliefs and temple traditions often stirs controversy. Many of India’s great temples are still linked to secrets that remain unrevealed. Built in times when there were no modern engineering facilities, these temples showcase architectural brilliance and construction skills that amaze even today. Among them, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is considered the richest in the world, thanks to the immense treasures stored in its underground vaults. Unique features like the idol made of a special mixture called katusarkara instead of stone, and the distinctive temple gopuram design, make it not just a marvel but also a place of great mystery.

Numerous tales surround the priceless hoard of gold, diamonds, gemstones, and rare ornaments kept in the vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The Supreme Court had earlier ordered the opening of vaults A and C to assess the approximate value of the items inside. But vault B remains untouched- its key is said to be missing, and its contents are unknown. Many believe it is the most mysterious vault of all. Some say opening it would bring disaster, while others claim seawater could rush in through hidden tunnels and flood the city. Whether these beliefs are true or not is another matter- there is no need to prove them wrong.

Exploring what is considered sacred and worshipped as a mystery brings no real benefit to the world. Although the government had once planned to create a museum so the public could see the treasures from two vaults, it later dropped the idea due to security reasons. Even if vault B were opened now, it would only serve to record the value of the treasures, nothing more. The current debate began after Adv. A. Velappan Nair, the government’s representative, suggested during a joint meeting of the temple administrative and advisory committees that vault B should be opened and examined.

This raises a larger question- should the government or politicians interfere in temple matters and matters of faith? In other religions, such powers usually rest with the respective religious bodies. But Hindu temples not run by family trusts fall under the control of Devaswom Boards, and therefore the state government. In temple affairs, the final say lies with the tantri (chief priest). This is something even the Supreme Court has affirmed. In the case of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, neither the tantri nor the Travancore royal family supports opening vault B. So, should government representatives really be making statements on such matters? Beliefs are rooted in sacred ideas, and perhaps they should remain sacred.