From Temple To Actor's Home: Untold Story Of Sabarimala Gold Door's JourneyAccording to court documents accessed by NDTV, the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels was removed and weighed on July 19, 2019 at 42.8 kilogrammes.

The saga of sacred art, devotion, controversy and a missing 4.5 kg of gold reads more like a thriller than a temple chronicle. In this article, we trace From Temple To Actor's Home: Untold Story Of Sabarimala Gold Door's JourneyAccording to court documents accessed by NDTV, the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels was removed and weighed on July 19, 2019 at 42.8 kilogrammes.

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The Sacred Door and Its Golden Sheen

In the heart of Kerala’s famed Sabarimala shrine, the Dwarapalaka idols stand sentinel before the sanctum. These gatekeepers, along with their door panels, were richly clad in gold, destined to evoke awe and reinforce sanctity. The granting of gold cladding was not a mere decorative act, but a tradition: in 1999, a substantial gold donation enabled the elaborate plating of these copper-based doors and guard idols. Business Standard+2The Times of India+2

Thus when From Temple To Actor's Home: Untold Story Of Sabarimala Gold Door's JourneyAccording to court documents accessed by NDTV, the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels was removed and weighed on July 19, 2019 at 42.8 kilogrammes. became public, it shocked devotees, officials and the media alike.

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July 19, 2019: A Weighty Beginning

The turning point came on 19 July 2019, when temple authorities recorded that the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels weighed exactly 42.8 kg. That measurement was critical. From Temple To Actor's Home: Untold Story Of Sabarimala Gold Door's JourneyAccording to court documents accessed by NDTV, the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels was removed and weighed on July 19, 2019 at 42.8 kilogrammes.

That same day, documentation (mahazar) shows 12 gold‑clad copper plates weighing 25.4 kg and two pedestals (called peedams) weighing 17.4 kg were handed over to a private sponsor, Unnikrishnan Potti. The Times of India+2Onmanorama+2 The next day, these panels left Sabarimala, under Potti’s custody, bound for electroplating work in Chennai by Smart Creations. www.ndtv.com+2Business Standard+2

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The 39‑Day Odyssey

Rather than being taken straight to Chennai, the artefacts embarked on a strange 39‑day journey. From Temple To Actor's Home: Untold Story Of Sabarimala Gold Door's JourneyAccording to court documents accessed by NDTV, the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels was removed and weighed on July 19, 2019 at 42.8 kilogrammes.

Records and NDTV’s investigative reconstruction suggest the gold‑clad panels were diverted to multiple locations: a private temple in Kottayam, temples in Andhra Pradesh, the Ayyappa shrine in Bengaluru, and, most sensationally, to the house of Malayalam actor Jayaram for a private puja, before finally returning to Sabarimala on 11 September 2019. www.ndtv.com+2Onmanorama+2

When Smart Creations finally measured the plates in Chennai on 29 August 2019, the weight had dropped to ≈ 38.258 kg. That is a shortfall of about 4.541 kg. english.dainikjagranmpcg.com+4Onmanorama+4www.ndtv.com+4

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The Slew of Irregularities

How does nearly 4.5 kg of gold vanish in such a high‑profile assignment? As legal and media scrutiny deepened, several glaring lapses were flagged:

• Misdescription as “copper plates”: The items were documented merely as copper plates, omitting mention of the existing gold plating, thereby confusing their status. Business Standard+2The Indian Express+2

• Lack of official oversight: The transfer of gold panels occurred without notifying the Sabarimala special commissioner or securing court permissions, violating protocol. www.ndtv.com+2Business Standard+2

• Poor register-keeping: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) was censured for negligible or missing entries in sacred‑valuables registers, especially for treasures like the Dwarapalaka gold, peedams, and door frames. @mathrubhumi+2Moneycontrol+2

• Unexplained diversion and usage: Email correspondence reveals that Potti intended to use leftover gold for a wedding — a revelation labelled “deeply disturbing” by the court. The Indian Express

• Possibility of misappropriation: The weight loss, coupled with the odyssey of transfers, raised the “grave possibility” that the original gold had been sold and the proceeds misused. The Indian Express+2The Week+2

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Judicial Intervention and the SIT Probe

Realising the gravity of the situation, the Kerala High Court intervened suo motu. The court confirmed the 4.54 kg discrepancy and ordered a full-scale investigation by a specially constituted SIT. Business Standard+4www.ndtv.com+4The Week+4

Further, the court mandated a complete inventory of all precious temple items — gold, silver, ornaments, and antiquities — under the supervision of retired judge K. T. Sankaran. @mathrubhumi+1

The court’s observations were scathing: Even after re‑plating, the weight never returned to anywhere near 42.8 kg; staff had failed to weigh the items upon return; and TDB officials appeared complicit. The Week+2CourtKutchehry+2

At the same time, the SIT’s terms included investigating whether offences such as theft, criminal misappropriation and breach of trust under Indian law were made out. The Week+1

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The Actor’s Role: Myth or Documented Fact?

One of the more startling allegations in From Temple To Actor's Home: Untold Story Of Sabarimala Gold Door's JourneyAccording to court documents accessed by NDTV, the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels was removed and weighed on July 19, 2019 at 42.8 kilogrammes. is that the gold‑clad panels visited the home of actor Jayaram for a private ritual (puja) mid‑journey. Reports suggest that the panels lay in his residence before continuing the tour. www.ndtv.com+1

If true, the detour to celebrity premises invites uncomfortable questions about privilege, access and misuse of temple property. Whether that claim is confirmed or not remains part of the ongoing probe.

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Repercussions and Public Sentiment

The revelations triggered political uproar, public scrutiny, and demands for accountability. Opposition parties in Kerala raised strong objections over the handling of temple assets. Business Standard+2Onmanorama+2

Devotees felt betrayed; trust in temple administration and oversight institutions came under fire. Meanwhile, the TDB was pressed to respond — reinstallation of the returned plates is contingent on court permissions. Onmanorama+2Moneycontrol+2

The court’s directive for meticulous record‑keeping and transparent audits of all temple valuables underscored a systemic wake-up call. @mathrubhumi+2Moneycontrol+2

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What Lies Ahead

As the SIT investigation proceeds, the following will be crucial:

1. Forensic audit of gold flows, smelting records, component breakdowns.

2. Tracing the 4.5 kg: Was it melted, sold, or diverted into other uses?

3. Accountability across tiers: Sponsors, contractors, TDB officials — all must be scrutinised.

4. Restitution and safeguarding: Any missing gold, its value, and compensation must be addressed.

5. Rebuilding institutional trust through transparent asset registers and independent oversight.

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Conclusion

From Temple To Actor's Home: Untold Story Of Sabarimala Gold Door's JourneyAccording to court documents accessed by NDTV, the gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols and door panels was removed and weighed on July 19, 2019 at 42.8 kilogrammes. is not just a sensational headline — it is a lens into how sacred heritage and public trust can be compromised when accountability fails.

The question now is not merely how the gold disappeared, but whether the truth will be brought to light and justice delivered. Until then, devotees and citizens must watch closely, demanding that no more gold — or faith — be lost without answer.

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