A Gilded Shadow: Sabarimala's Golden Secrets Under the Scanner, From Hills to Bengaluru's Boutiques

The air in Bengaluru probably hummed with its usual frenetic energy the other day, but for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Kerala, the focus was singular, intense even. Their mission, you see, was anything but ordinary; it was all part of a painstaking, years-long probe into an alleged misappropriation of gilded artefacts—gold, no less—meant for the hallowed Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

Yes, the long-standing Sabarimala gold scandal, a tale that weaves together faith, finance, and, quite frankly, a dash of deception, has taken a significant new turn. The SIT, a dedicated unit of the Kerala police, recently found themselves inspecting a particular jewellery shop in the bustling metropolis. And why Bengaluru, you might ask? Well, it seems the trail, or rather the glittery, potentially sub-standard trail, led them right there.

At the heart of this unfolding drama is a very specific, and rather damning, question: was the gold used for the intricate gilding of the Sreekovil roof and its surrounding copper cladding truly 100% pure, as the contract, one would naturally expect, demanded? The original work, mind you, dates back to the year 2000. For decades, devotees have offered their prayers beneath what they believed to be pure, unblemished gold.

But then, allegations surfaced. Whispers grew into a full-blown complaint, championed by none other than BJP leader T.G. Mohandas. He, quite courageously, alleged that the contractor responsible, a certain R. Harikumar, had pulled a fast one. Not 100% pure gold, or even the stipulated 91.6% (that's 22 carat, for the uninitiated), but a mere 62% pure metal was allegedly used. A significant difference, you'll agree, and a profound betrayal of trust, should it prove true.

It's a serious charge, undoubtedly, prompting the Kerala High Court to step in and order this comprehensive investigation. Previously, the SIT had meticulously inspected the temple itself, collecting samples from the very structure in Sabarimala. Now, their journey has led them to the alleged source, or at least a crucial link, in Bengaluru.

The current inspection at the Bengaluru jewellery shop isn't just a casual glance. Oh no, the team is diligently collecting samples from there too. These will then be whisked away, sent for rigorous scientific examination. For once, the intricate science of metallurgy might just hold the key to unravelling a two-decade-old mystery, determining if the gleaming promise made to millions of pilgrims was, in truth, tarnished from the very start. And so, the investigation rolls on, a testament, perhaps, to the enduring weight of faith and finance intertwined, searching for clarity in what appears to be a deeply muddled, golden past.