Sabarimala Dewaswom Board Rules Out Reinstallation of Gold Plating on Dwarapalaka Idol

Kochi: The Travancore Devaswom Board has clarified that the gold plating removed from the Dwarapalaka sculpture at Sabarimala cannot be reinstalled. Board president P. S. Prashanth said on Wednesday that a review petition will be filed before the Kerala High Court today.

The Board explained that the repair work is being undertaken by the devotee who originally donated the gold plating. Earlier, the Special Commissioner had submitted a report pointing out that the removal and transport of the plating to Chennai for repair—without prior approval from the High Court—was a serious lapse. The court had previously directed that all structural repairs near the Sreekovil require sanction from the Devaswom Bench, and that any work involving gold must be carried out only at the Sannidhanam under court supervision, with a special monitoring committee in place.

Responding to the criticism, Devaswom Board president Prashanth clarified that the removal of the gold panels was done with the approval of the Thantri (chief priest) and the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner. He said the plating had become tarnished, scratched, and partly broken near the leg portion of the sculpture, prompting its removal after the Onam rituals for restoration in Chennai. A vigilance-led monitoring committee has been overseeing the process, and the repair work is expected to be completed before the start of the next Mandala season.

“The Devaswom Commissioner and Special Commissioner have also confirmed that they were not kept in the dark about the process,” Prashanth added. A detailed report on the matter has been submitted to the High Court.