Padmanabha Swamy temple seeks help from Kerala Government for a soft loan
The iconic Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram is facing an unprecedented financial crisis and has sought the help of the Kerala Government for a soft loan to tide over its financial difficulties.
The famed Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple located in the heart of the capital city is the world’s richest temple with an asset base worth over Rs one lakh crore, mostly in gold, silver, and diamonds, but currently, it is facing an unforeseen financial crisis.
Padmanabha Swamy is the tutelary deity of the royal family of Travancore. The titular Maharaja of Travancore, Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, is the trustee of the temple.
A top person in the family said on condition of anonymity that things are not that rosy ever since the Covid pandemic struck.
“There has been a slide in the temple earnings and a sum of Rs.2 crore has been sanctioned by the State government and it is a loan and has to be given back in a year’s time,” said the top source.
Earlier, the temple marked a monthly revenue of Rs.1.5 cr. But as this huge income has declined, the salary to temporary staff was limited and permanent employees faced a salary cut. The temple has around 200 employees both permanent and temporary and a sizeable number who are paid pension. According to the temple authority, it will be difficult to meet the daily expenditure without the government’s help after the reopening of the temple.
“Approximately the temple has monthly expenses of around Rs one crore and generally till the pandemic struck, the temple was able to break even, but after the pandemic, things have gone haywire and hence the temple had to approach the state government for a loan,” added the source who did not wish to be identified.
Since 2011, when an apex court committee stumbled upon six vaults in the temple and with just vault B left yet to be opened, the treasure that has been found in the five vaults has been estimated to be worth over Rs one lakh crore, and after that this temple has now become the center of attraction for many.
[With Inputs from IANS]
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