Kerala’s Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, a beacon of faith for millions, is reeling from allegations leveled against its Tantri in the ongoing gold theft investigation. The SIT report, a 200-page dossier packed with forensic evidence and witness statements, paints a troubling picture of potential complicity at the highest levels of temple priesthood.
Detailed timelines in the report pinpoint irregularities during the sacred Thulabharam ritual, where the Tantri was directly responsible for handling the precious gold items now missing. CCTV blind spots, tampered locks, and the priest’s delegation of duties to unverified aides have all been flagged as red flags. ‘These are not mere oversights; they suggest deliberate negligence or worse,’ remarked a senior police officer involved in the probe.
The scandal has ignited fierce debates on social media and in legislative assemblies. Pilgrims who trek the 18 sacred steps annually express betrayal, calling for the Tantri’s immediate suspension. Temple board officials maintain his innocence, citing decades of unblemished service, but mounting pressure from the High Court could force accountability.
Beyond the theft of gold worth crores, this episode exposes vulnerabilities in age-old traditions clashing with modern security needs. As forensic teams re-examine the crime scene, the quest for truth could redefine trust in Kerala’s iconic shrine.