Thiruvananthapuram, India: Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple of Kerala has emerged to be the richest Hindu temple in world putting the tirupati temple at the number 2 slot in globe. The treasure trove  includes crowns, gold jewellery,

diamonds, jewels and many other precious articles worth billions of dollars. These items of rare value have been found in secret cellars of sri Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram. This has raised questions about ownership rights of treasure and future security.

As per the current estimates, value of the materials alone found from four out of six secret hidden chambers in the historic temple which dates back to early 18th century might exceed more than 90,000 crore. This is three times annual size of kerala state budget. The experts have not yet calculated rare value of antique pieces.

With this finding of amazing and rare treasures by supreme court appointed panel of experts, it has become richest temple of hindus in the country exceeding Tirumala tirupati shrine. The sri balaji temple of tirupati, until now, with treasures worth 42000 crore was considered the richest Hindu temple in India and world.

The priceless articles found in cellars of Thiruvananthapuram temple include 18 foot chain of gold weighing 10.5 kg, gold sheaf weighing 10.5 kg, nuggets and granules of gold in quintals, numerous jewels, crowns, diamonds from Antwerp. This also includes coins from countries like France.

During findings of inventory, big idol of lord Vishnu covered with priceless stones was found. Other precious items found were gold bars, straps, gold, human forms in gold sculpture, gold rings etc.. The secret cellars of temple were being checked under tight security. The shrine is run by trust floated by royal house of Travancore. In earlier days, temple and associated property was controlled by aristocrats, Ettuveettil Pillamar and eight families of prominence till King Marthanda Varma dedicated kingdom to deity.

The unimaginable huge treasures in temple have sparked off controversy about real wealth owners. Believers say wealth belongs to temple and should be kept under tight security. There are different comments from various corners. Some say it is black wealth amassed by kings.

Uthradam Thirunnal Marthanda Varma, present royalty heir said,“I must not say anything about it. I am just seeing what is happening.”

This huge wealth at one place has become a world attraction and government is finding issues of security concerns.

Retired IB official said, “You need laser-protected safes, digital surveillance and other such modern systems and programmes for providing security to things like this. This is no job for an ordinary State police force”. As per security experts, Kerala, a state of India, does not have means and sources to guard such a huge wealth.