Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Cameras to assess temple wealth draw protests in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The attempt by a Supreme Court-appointed independent panel to assess the wealth discovered in the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple has run into more rough weather.

Devotees under the banner of Sree Padmanabha Bhakta Samiti have protested the use of still cameras and video equipment to make an inventory of the jewellery and other rare artefacts recovered from the temple vaults.

"Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in temples in Kerala. The Lord's ornaments cannot be treated as mere material goods," a spokesman of the newly-formed group pointed out.

The samiti also alleged there was an attempt by certain vested interests to tinker with the beliefs and customs of the temple.

The Samiti also submitted a memorandum to the Ananda Bose Committee entrusted with the task of assessing the temple treasures.

"The faithful believe that there are priceless treasures inside the cellars of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple, and that these were given as donations to the Lord. The devotees have never expressed a desire to see them. Publishing their details would create unnecessary chaos inside the temple and vitiate the atmosphere," the memorandum said.

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