A dramatic controversy has erupted at the revered Sabarimala temple, with Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) alleging a deliberate conspiracy behind the mysterious case of a "missing" gold-coated peedam (pedestal) for the temple’s Dwarapalaka idols. The peedam, later recovered from a sponsor’s relative’s home, has ignited accusations of foul play and attempts to tarnish the temple’s reputation.

The saga began when the Kerala High Court ordered a probe into discrepancies in the weight of gold-clad copper plates used for the Dwarapalaka idols. Following this, sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty, a Bengaluru-based devotee, claimed that a gold-plated peedam he donated in 2019 during plating works had gone missing from TDB custody. This revelation prompted a swift investigation, and a TDB vigilance team, led by SP Sunil Kumar, traced the peedam to the residence of Potty’s relative in Venjaramoodu, Thiruvananthapuram.

Minister Vasavan accused Potty of orchestrating a “drama” by hiding the peedam and falsely reporting it missing. “After concealing the peedam, Potty made allegations to mislead the public. We suspect a deeper conspiracy,” Vasavan told reporters, adding that further actions would align with the High Court’s directives.

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TDB president P S Prasanth echoed the minister’s sentiments, alleging that Potty’s actions were a calculated move to discredit the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, a significant temple event. “He lied despite knowing the peedam was in his custody. His claims even led the opposition to falsely brand me a thief. This was an attempt to undermine the Sangamam’s success,” Prasanth said. He noted that the TDB was unaware of the peedam’s existence until Potty’s allegations surfaced and admitted a delay in reporting the issue to the Special Commissioner, though he emphasized the board’s transparency.

In his defense, Potty denied any malicious intent, claiming he was unaware the peedam was with his worker, Vasudevan, in Kottayam. “I only learned of its location after media reports, when Vasudevan informed me. I then moved it to my relative’s house in Thiruvananthapuram,” he explained.

The incident has raised questions about oversight at one of India’s holiest shrines, with the TDB calling for a thorough investigation into Potty’s actions. As the controversy unfolds, devotees and authorities await clarity on whether this was a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to stir unrest at Sabarimala.

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