Will never agree to temple takeover: Chandy

He was reacting to a query about the state government’s position on the issue of ownership of the temple.

The statement comes after the Kerala High Court ordered the state to take over control of the temple,its assets and management by constituting a body corporate or trust or any other authority on the lines of the Guruvayur Devaswom.

The Supreme Court,which stayed Kerala High Court order after Travancore Royal Family challenged it,is expected to take a final view on the matter in September this year.

The royal family that once ruled Travancore still oversees the temple.

The temple shot to fame after a Supreme Court-appointed committee recovered a treasure trove,reportedly valued at around one lakh crore,from its secret vaults.

The chief minister maintained that the treasure found in temple belongs to the deity and the state would provide adequate security to protect it.

“Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is the proud symbol of Kerala’s rich culture and tradition. It is the duty of the state government to protect it by providing adequate security. We will protect it at any cost,” Chandy said.

T P Sundrrajan,an advocate,initiated the legal battle for transparency in preservation and protection of the assets of the temple,managed by a trust under the erstwhile Travancore royal house. Sundrrajan died on July 17.