Daijiworld Media Network – Thiruvananthapuram (SP)
Thivuvananthapuram, Jul 2: Those entrusted with the task of making a list of the contents stored in the secret underground cellars of Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple here have found to their surprise, that the cellars contain gold ornaments, jewels, emeralds, gold and silver utensils, and other valuables estimated to be worth over Rs 50,000 crore. One of the crowns used to be worn by the king of Travancore dynasty at the time of coronation, was among the findings. 30 percent of the contents of these cellars remain to be checked by the team that has been entrusted with the task of opening the cellars and listing out their contents, by the Supreme Court.
As at Friday, five of the six cellars were opened. Heaps of gold chains, idols, crowns, utensils and other valuables, which were hidden in these secret cellars, resemble those which are detailed in Hindu mythology. One of the gold chains weighs 10.5 kgs, and its length is 18 ft. This particular ornament’s pendant contains invaluable jewels, diamonds etc, which are worth crores of rupees. Four other gold ornaments weighed 2.2 kgs each. Large quantity of pearls, jewels etc were found packed in gunny bags. Sources said that over 2,000 ornaments that are worn around the neck were found from these cellars.
The jewellery, left behind the Travancore dynasty of kings, proves that the stories about heaps of different jewels explained in Indian history and mythological books were not just figments of imagination. The antique value of this jewellery is estimated to many times more. Sources said that the actual worth of the valuables can be estimated only after all the cellars are opened, and the listed items are valued by experts.
The cellars have complex locks. The cellar in which ornaments and valuables worth about Rs 30,000 crore were found on Friday, had a very complicated lock system, which took half a day for the concerned to open.
Earlier:
Thiruvananthapuram: Assets Worth Rs 700 Crore Found in Temple’s Secret Rooms