Padmanabha makes it to Huffington Post USA

[Nara]

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Treasure Worth 'Billions' Found In Hindu Temple In Southern India

 

[Yamaka]

It is quite conceivable that a good portion of "devotees offerings" is from Black Marketers and/or Thieves..

Recently, Puttaparthi Sai Baba had Crores of cash and several kilo grams of precious metals - gold and silver - in his Personal Vault, most of which could very well be from Black Marketers and/or Thieves.

Is it fair for the Gods and Godmen to encourage Black Marketers and Thieves in a poor country like India?

Engay Neethi Ayya?

 

[kunjuppu]

Y,

i think these are more, the ancient jewellery. some of them are dated in 18th century and earlier. it is quite possible that these were hidden away to keep them out of sight from marauders, british, tipu sultan and any such folk.

not likely black money or illegal money. this temple is owned by the maharajas of travancore (erstwhile anyways) and not sure even if it comes under the purview of the devaswom.

my great grandfather was a munsiff in the old travancore state, and we have had family stories of the eminency of the royal family especially when it came to the affairs of this particular temple.

the temple itself is considered among the most backwaters re devotees, most of whom are the t'puram citizens who are govt servants. it does not attract any great tourists numbers like guruvayoor.

so all this wealth, is old, forgotten over the generations....

 

[ShivKC]

Y,

i think these are more, the ancient jewellery. some of them are dated in 18th century and earlier. it is quite possible that these were hidden away to keep them out of sight from marauders, british, tipu sultan and any such folk.

not likely black money or illegal money. this temple is owned by the maharajas of travancore (erstwhile anyways) and not sure even if it comes under the purview of the devaswom.

my great grandfather was a munsiff in the old travancore state, and we have had family stories of the eminency of the royal family especially when it came to the affairs of this particular temple.

the temple itself is considered among the most backwaters re devotees, most of whom are the t'puram citizens who are govt servants. it does not attract any great tourists numbers like guruvayoor.

so all this wealth, is old, forgotten over the generations....

i was about to write the same. is there any option here for a TRIPLE 'like' click?

 

[Yamaka]

Y,

i think these are more, the ancient jewellery. some of them are dated in 18th century and earlier. it is quite possible that these were hidden away to keep them out of sight from marauders, british, tipu sultan and any such folk.

not likely black money or illegal money. this temple is owned by the maharajas of travancore (erstwhile anyways) and not sure even if it comes under the purview of the devaswom.

my great grandfather was a munsiff in the old travancore state, and we have had family stories of the eminency of the royal family especially when it came to the affairs of this particular temple.

the temple itself is considered among the most backwaters re devotees, most of whom are the t'puram citizens who are govt servants. it does not attract any great tourists numbers like guruvayoor.

so all this wealth, is old, forgotten over the generations....

Dear K:

I agree about this particular Padmanabha Temple.. then, how about the temples like Tirupathi and at Puttaparuthi?

It's interesting that this Temple was once well attended by the "rich" devotees, and still became not so popular in modern times. Probably, some competition from other temples nearby...

Regards

Y

 

[Nara]

I agree about this particular Padmanabha Temple.. then, how about the temples like Tirupathi and at Puttaparuthi?

Dear Y, I join you in your criticisms of private religious Mathams, but there is a difference between temples and maThams, especially HRCE temples. While there may be some irregularities here and there, in the most part, gross corruption in rich temples is not prevalent in as much as such temples are under public eye. The riches of Thiruppathi temple is in the public domain and are spent for the public welfare.

I may be wrong, not sure, however, IMO, Thiruppathi temple finances are better managed than Sri Rangam.

It's interesting that this Temple was once well attended by the "rich" devotees, and still became not so popular in modern times. Probably, some competition from other temples nearby...

I don't agree with K that Thiruvandhapuram Padmanabha Swami temple is not popular. It is one of the 108 Dhivya Desams for Sri Vasihnavas. It is not as popular as Sri Rangam or Thiruppathi, but it is a well known temple attracting the faithful from all over India. I do agree with K on why people of an earlier era saw a need to hide such a huge treasure in underground vaults -- 4-foot gold figurine studded with precious stones -- amazing. I am sure the artistry is quite amazing too. No wonder the find is so widely reported in international media, this morning I saw Al Jazera reporting it.

Cheers!

 

[renuka]

Dear Nara anna,
I dont know much about India's management and inventory on finances and property of temples and ashrams but is there a similar styled fashion for churches and mosques cos when I was in college there were many Seventh Day Adventists whose medical seats were sponsered by their SDA church.
And Private medical seats come with a real high capitation.I used to wonder how these churches managed?
I was just wondering?
Can you shed some light here cos I really dont know?

 

[Nara]

...Can you shed some light here cos I really dont know?

Renu, I have no earthly idea. I know Catholic Church is rich beyond human imagination, so are some Protestant churches. I also know there are some evangelical denominations that run mega churches that relieve the faithful of their hard earned money in exchange for "spiritual" benefits, not to mention "saving" the gullible and the long oppressed in the developing world.

But, that is the nature of all religious faiths, IMO, to deceive and exploit the gullible, in a sincere or insincere attempt to "save" them.

Cheers!

 

[Yamaka]

Public Radio International (an arm of NPR) interviewed one Editor of The Hindu from Trivandrum this evening; he said,

" The treasures buried under the Padmanabha Temple could be the assets of Maharaja of Travancore, who buried that to hide it from his political enemies... None of the media person has been allowed to see those materials in the vault...it could be worth billions of dollars, but nobody knows for sure".

My guess is not much of ordinary devotees' offerings are there!

 

[srinikarthik]

In a sense it can be assets of maharaja of travancore as they have given all their life to the deity.

This is what Kanchi Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswati has to say.

The Hindu : Cities / Thiruvananthapuram : Temple treasure belongs to royal family: Kanchi seer

 

[Nara]

In a sense it can be assets of maharaja of travancore as they have given all their life to the deity.

This is what Kanchi Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswati has to say.

With due respects to the Kanchi Seer, where did the royal "family" get so much treasure from? Surely, this wealth is a product of taxes collected from the citizens. So, it must belong to the public in one way or another, to the temple trust, or the government, most certainly not to the erstwhile royal family.

Cheers!

 

[srinikarthik]

I'm not saying give it to the royal Family, but dont give it to the goverment atleast, as it will create another Scam. Give it back to the temple and let the trust handle it.