India’s top court confirms right of ex-Kerala royals to run world’s richest temple

It was the case that brought to the limelight the riches of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. On July 13, the Supreme Court set aside the 2011 verdict of the Kerala High Court that directed the state government to take control of the historic temple in state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

The court also left it to the former royal family of Travancore to decide the opening of a secret vault that has been shut for years. The royal family had argued that the opening of the secret vault called will bring misfortune because of a mythical curse.

A two-judge bench of justices U.U. Lalit and Indu Malhotra also ordered that the District Judge of Thiruvananthapuram will head an administrative committee to manage the affairs of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple till a final committee is constituted by the royal family.

“Existing committee appointed by Supreme Court in 2011 will continue as an interim arrangement till final committee is constituted. Royal family will constitute the final committee. Opening of the “Kallara” will be decided by the final committee of royal family as per traditions,” the court ruled.

The Kerala government also welcomed the judgement. “The state government welcomes the top court order. We still need to analyse the Supreme Court order. The detailed order is yet to come. We will implement the Supreme Court verdict,” Minister for Dewasoms Kadakampally Surendran said.

The temple, an architectural splendour in granite, was rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century by the Travancore Royal House which had ruled southern Kerala and some adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu before integration of the princely state with the Indian Union in 1947.
Chief Executive Officer of the temple V. Ratheesan, IAS said the court’s direction to continue with the present committee for the time being is a recognition.

What is Shebaitship?

A shebait is the human ministrant and custodian of an idol, its earthly spokesman, its authorised represntative entitled to deal with its temporal affairs and to manage its property. In other words, they are authorised to deal and manage the temple property and its affairs.