Curiosity surrounds Kerala temple's secret chambers

The seven member committee partly opened the `A’ and `B’ chambers inside the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here on Wednesday which have not been opened for centuries.

The committee found two doors inside the `B’ chamber where lay about 100 silver pots and many silver nuggets. A third door made of steel could not be opened. When the  `A’ chamber was opened, it led to an area which was roughly about eight feet radius  and a secret chamber downward which was pitch dark.

Attempts to move into this area were abandoned following doubts about the oxygen availability inside. Plans to open the `F’ chamber and make an inventory were abandoned as there were time restrictions on opening chambers which housed pooja materials. The process of preparing an inventory of articles inside the six chambers in the temple began on Monday on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Treasure trove

Sources said that the `C’ chamber which was opened on Tuesday had a treasure trove of gold items including umbrellas, silver pots, gold pots, gold `varpu’ and golden utensils used for pooja. Idols of Shiva, golden serpent forms,  rings and thali were also retrieved.

Though the actual worth of the articles is unclear, it is estimated to be about Rs 450 crore.  The `C’ chamber is frequently opened to pick items to be used for festivals and rituals. The chambers are being opened under the supervision of former judges M N Krishnan and C S Rajan, Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar, Archives  Director J Rejikumar, temple executive officer Harikumar, representatives of the Travancore royal family head Uthradom Thirunal Marthandavarma and first respondent advocate T P Sundararajan.