Security Scare At Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Gold ornaments, diamond-studded artefact aeportedly missing

According to a report submitted by the Director General of Police to the Kerala Home Department, nearly 78 grams of gold ornaments along with a precious diamond-studded item known as the Vairam Nama are currently untraceable.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 27 May 2026, 12:14 PM IST

Security Scare At Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Thiruvananthapuram: A major security concern has surfaced at the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple after gold ornaments and a diamond-studded sacred artefact were reportedly found missing from the temple’s inventory, prompting alarm among devotees and authorities alike.

According to a report submitted by the Director General of Police to the Kerala Home Department, nearly 78 grams of gold ornaments along with a precious diamond-studded item known as the Vairam Nama are currently untraceable. The report has raised serious concerns over the management and security of the temple’s priceless treasures.

Valuables Sent for Repair Yet to Return

Temple records reportedly reveal that the Vairam Nama had been taken out months ago for repair work but has still not been returned. In another troubling development, a gold lamp sent for maintenance around six months ago also remains unaccounted for.

The disappearance of the valuable items has intensified scrutiny over the handling and monitoring of centuries-old temple assets, with questions being raised over accountability and internal oversight mechanisms.

DGP Flags Security Concerns, Suggests Urgent Measures

In the report, the DGP is understood to have recommended a series of immediate steps to strengthen security arrangements at the temple.

Key suggestions include:

• Shifting all gold and silver valuables to high-security vaults
• Keeping devotees’ offerings in dedicated secure lockers
• Introducing stricter screening procedures at all entry points
• Ensuring no person enters sensitive areas without thorough security checks

Authorities believe these measures could help enhance surveillance and reduce risks associated with safeguarding one of the country’s most revered and wealthiest temples.

About Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is regarded as one of the 108 Divya Desams of the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

The temple is renowned worldwide for its immense treasure and historical significance. References to the shrine can also be found in ancient Sangam-era literature, including the Tamil epic Cilappatikaram.

Historians believe the temple was once popularly referred to as the “Golden Temple” because of its extraordinary wealth even during the early Sangam period.