India’s richest temple Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, has been in headlines since 2007 when a legal dispute over the temple’s vast treasure and management began. The case gained significant media attention in 2009 with a public interest litigation. Later in 2011 Kerala High Court ruled against the Travancore royal family forming a board to manage the temple. However Supreme Court stayed the HC order and appointed an expert committee to assess the temple’s treasures and oversaw the opening of five of the temple’s vaults.
Now, Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi Thampuratty, a member of the Travancore royal family, has spoken out about the ‘vaults’ after receiving an invitation to enter them. In an interview with Kaumudi Online, she revealed that although she had the opportunity to open and view the vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, she chose not to enter the mysterious vaults. She has also been honoured with the Padma Shri award.
What She Said
“We received an invitation from the committee to enter the vault of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. However, I declined. I didn’t want to go in because I felt that my presence there might spark rumours- that I had taken a ring or gem, perhaps hidden. We’ve faced such allegations in the past. Even though stealing something from the vault is practically impossible, people still believe in such rumours. So, I decided not to go. To this day, I have never entered the vault.” The eighty-year-old Padma Shri Aswathi Thirunal said.
Aswathi Thirunal described receiving the Padma Shri as a profound honour. She noted that she has been the recipient of 52 awards so far, both national and local. Yet, she emphasised that the Padma Shri holds a special place in her heart, as it represents a distinguished recognition bestowed by the nation.
Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, located in Kerala, is a historic and sacred site believed to be over 5,000 years old. Within its premises lie six underground vaults, known to contain immense treasures. Over the years, authorities have opened five of these vaults, revealing staggering riches. However, Vault B remains unopened, shrouded in mystery and legend. Many believe it is guarded by supernatural forces, and local lore warns that anyone who attempts to open it may face dire consequences.
Secret Of B Vault
In 2011, authorities opened five of the six vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, revealing treasures worth over ₹1 lakh crore — including gold statues, jewels, and other priceless artefacts.
However, Vault B remains sealed, shrouded in mystery and legend.
Many believe that multiple layers of iron and wood secure it, with an outer iron door adorned with cobra carvings—symbols said to warn intruders of a curse guarding the treasure within. People also consider Vault B sacred and directly linked to the presiding deity, Lord Padmanabhaswamy. As per reports, the holy Chamber houses an idol of Sri Padmanabha and many valuables meant to enhance the potency of the Principal Deity. According to temple lore, it holds treasures and objects of divine origin, protected by celestial beings and mystical serpent locks.
Experts claim that this chamber has thick walls made of solid gold. They believe it holds great mystery and might contain the largest undiscovered treasure in world history. The temple authorities do not include it as part of the official Temple Treasury. There are also reports that Vault B doesn’t hold treasure at all — instead, it may lead to a hidden passage connecting directly to the Arabian Sea.
Audit Conducted
An audit conducted into the assets of the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple has shown that a massive amount of gold from its repositories has mysteriously disappeared. Up to 769 Gold Pots and Silver bars have been reported missing. Some skeptics are also suggesting that there is a hidden tunnel beneath the chamber that allowed the architects to lock the chamber doors from within, making it impossible to breach. This secret tunnel could invariably have led to many years of plundering the treasure trove without anyone noticing.
How This Case Started
In 2007, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, who was then head of the royal family, has claimed that treasures of the temple were the family property of the royals. This created a huge public uproar. It is said that the treasures unearthed from the temple were contributed by the Maharajas and Maharanis of Travancore. Later a PIL reached the Kerala High Court regarding this.
