SC set to announce verdict on Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: All you need to know

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to pronounce its verdict on the nine-year-old management dispute over Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala. The temple shot to fame as one of world's richest temples after discovery of wealth locked in ‘kallaras’ (vaults) for centuries.
About Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
* The sprawling temple, an architectural splendour in granite built in sixth century, 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.
* Even after India's independence, the temple continued to be governed by a trust controlled by the erstwhile royal family for whom Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu) is their family deity.
* The royal family of Travancore has managed the grand Vishnu Temple for more than 1,000 years but it was on the petition of IPS officer Sundarajan that the Supreme Court had stepped into the dispute over temple's management in 2011.
What does the Supreme Court verdict pertains to
* The controversy over the administration and management of the historic temple has been pending in the apex court for last nine years.
* In the wake of charges of alleged financial irregularities., the case in the Supreme Court pertains to who should get the ownership, control and management of the temple trust—the erstwhile royal family of Travancore, or a Devaswom board controlled by Kerala government.
* In addition to the management rights of the temple trust, another issue that the Supreme Court is now expected to settle is if the Vault B (second vault out of six) of the temple should be opened.
* The Kerala High Court in its verdict on January 31, 2011 had directed the state government to take steps to set up a body or trust to take control of the temple, its assets and management and to run the temple in accordance with the traditions.
* However, the Supreme Court had on May 2, 2011 stayed the High Court's direction. The same day it had also directed that there shall be a detailed inventory of the articles, valuables, ornaments in Kallaras (vaults) A to F, but had later clarified that kallara B would not be opened without express orders of the apex court. SC had said it would examine the claims that vault B contained extraordinary treasure with "mystical" energy.
* The preparation of inventories had given rise to speculation that even without opening of kallara B, the value of the gold, ornaments and precious stones of the temple, traditionally managed by the heirs of former Travancore ruler Marthanda Varma, was around Rs 1 lakh crore. This led to the SC cautioning the media from publishing speculative stories on the value of the temple wealth but at the same time putting an IPS officer and team of police personnel for 24X7 security of the temple and its assets.
* The Supreme Court had appointed a selection committee headed by former SC judge KSP Radhakrishnan for selection of personnel for the purpose of preparation of inventory and repair of the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) of the temple. Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium was appointed amicus curiae for streamlining the activities inside the temple premises.
* In July 2017, the top court was told by Subramanium that vault B of the temple should be opened as it was closed "on the apprehension that there is some mystical energy".
* But, till date the Supreme Court had not passed any order for opening of kallara B, with the locals and priests believing that whosoever tries to open it would be struck by misfortune.