Sabarimala Property Values to Remain Confidential, Says Travancore Devaswom Board

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Kerala: (media sources) The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has stated that the asset values of the Sabarimala temple cannot be published, as it would be against public interest and temple security. This was conveyed by Board Secretary S. Bindu in a counter-affidavit submitted to the High Court in response to a public interest litigation demanding the assessment and disclosure of the assets of the Sabarimala and Guruvayur temples

The board clarified that the asset values are being accurately recorded and verified by those with legal authority. Proper Channel President M.K. Haridas approached the court, seeking the disclosure of temple property details, including precious gems, diamonds, gold and silver ornaments, utensils, and other movable assets.

The Devaswom Board alleged that the petitioner’s intentions are questionable. If the value of sacred objects, including the thiruvabharanam, is made public, it could be misused by wrongdoers. This would be harmful to the rights of the deity and the security of the temple. The petitioner had previously obtained details of the gold and silver stored in the Sabarimala and Guruvayur temples under the Right to Information Act.

However, the asset value was not clear. The Devaswom approached the bench seeking a directive to clarify this. However, the High Court had earlier quashed the Right to Information Commission’s order to make public the value of the thiruvabharanam at the Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama temple,

Sabarimala is a huge deal in Kerala—millions visit it every year to pray, especially from November to January. It makes a lot of money too, like over ₹440 crore just this last season from donations and selling prasadam, according to recent news.

The TDB uses that money to run the temple and even put 535 kg of extra gold in the bank last year to earn more. But they’re firm: no one needs to know the exact worth of the temple’s land or assets.

Some people think this secrecy isn’t fair. Since Sabarimala runs on donations from devotees and the TDB is picked by the government, they say everyone should know what’s going on. The High Court will look at this again on May 22, 2025.