Sabarimala Gold Scandal: Sculptor Drops Bombshell, Alleges Sacred Gold Sold to Film Industry

A decades-old shadow has once again fallen over the revered Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, as the sculptor responsible for its sacred gold covering has made explosive allegations that threaten to unravel a deep-seated controversy. C.K. Maniyan, the very artisan who meticulously crafted the gold plating for the temple's Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), has come forward with a startling claim: the precious gold donated by devotees was allegedly sold off to the film industry, replaced with substandard material.

Maniyan's astonishing revelation suggests a profound betrayal of faith and a significant act of alleged misappropriation.

He asserts that the original gold, donated by countless devotees for the spiritual sanctity of the temple, was diverted under the purported supervision of G. Raman Nair, who was the President of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) at the time of the project. This is not a new claim for Maniyan; he states he first brought these allegations to the High Court's attention back in 2005, but they were seemingly swept under the carpet.

Adding another layer to this intricate web of deceit, Maniyan unequivocally declares that the gold covering currently adorning the Sabarimala Sreekovil is not the masterpiece he originally created.

Instead, he claims it's a cheap replica, a duplicate crafted in Thrissur. His original work, he insists, was of unparalleled purity—a staggering 99.9% pure gold—befitting the divine sanctity of the temple. However, he was allegedly supplied with gold of only 60% purity by the TDB, which he vehemently refused to use.

The sculptor recounts a period of immense pressure and fear.

After his initial refusal to use the inferior gold, he was allegedly coerced and forced into working with the substandard material. The stakes were high, and Maniyan claims he faced severe threats, ultimately leading him to flee his home for his safety. He now feels compelled to reveal the full truth, asserting that an influential figure within the film industry, reportedly close to the then TDB President, was intimately involved in this alleged nefarious scheme.

The controversy extends beyond just the Sreekovil's gold covering.

Maniyan's allegations also touch upon irregularities in the construction of the 'ponnu pathinettam padi' – the revered 18 gold-plated steps leading to the sanctum. This broader scope suggests a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident.

While a High Court probe in 2005 looked into the matter, it concluded that no gold misappropriation had occurred, though it did acknowledge other irregularities.

Maniyan, however, now claims that his earlier testimony was given under duress, and he was coerced into silence. His current, detailed accusations directly contradict those prior findings, demanding a fresh and thorough investigation into what could be one of the most shocking temple scandals in recent memory.

The question now looms: will justice finally be served for the devotees whose faith and donations were allegedly exploited?