Rs 90,000 cr and counting... Kerala temple pips Tirupati

The unearthing of a tresure trove including gold jewellery, crowns, jewels, diamonds and other precious articles worth billions of dollars from the secret cellars of the famed Sri Padmanabha Swami temple in Thiruvananthapuram has raised serious questions about the treasure’s ownership rights and its future security.

As per estimates based on the material value alone of the articles found from four of the six secret cellars in the historic temple that dates back to early 18th Century, the treasure might be worth more than Rs 90,000 crore, almost three times the annual budget size of the State. Experts are yet to find out the antique value of the rare articles found from the secret cellars.

With the finding of the amazing treasures during the preparation of inventory by a Supreme Court-appointed expert panel, the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple has become the richest Hindu temple in the country. With treasures reportedly worth Rs 42,000 crore, the Sri Balaji temple at Tirupati was until now known as the richest Hindu temple.

Among the priceless articles found in the cellars of the Thiruvananthapuram temple were a gold sheaf weighing 500 kilos, an 18-foot gold chain weighing 10.5 kilos, a 36-kilo golden veil, quintals of gold granules and nuggets, crowns, numerous jewels and diamonds including those from Antwerp and rare coins from many countries including France.

The findings during the preparation of inventory also included a huge idol of Lord Vishnu studded with priceless stones, human forms sculpted in gold, gold bars and straps and several gold rings. The sprawling temple complex’s secret cellars, some of them remaining shut for centuries, were being examined under tight security and safety measures.

The shrine, located right in the heart of the State’s capital, is run by a trust floated by the Travancore royal house, to which Lord Padmanabha is the family deity. In the olden days, the temple and its associated property were being controlled by the Ettuveettil Pillamar, aristocrats from eight prominent families till King Marthanda Varma dedicated the kingdom to the deity.

With the revelation that the temple cellars are holding unimaginably huge treasures, controversies have been sparked off over who the real owners of this wealth are. Believers argue that the wealth belongs to the temple and should continue to be kept in the temple itself under foolproof security.

However, some historians say that the treasure was actually public property hidden away by the erstwhile kings. Atheists and rationalists argue that the treasure could have been “black wealth” amassed by the kings and hidden in the temple for reasons of the peculiar security situation of those times.

However, Uthradam Thirunnal Marthanda Varma, the present heir of the royalty, said he did not want to say anything about the treasure, described as the wealth of Lord Padmanabha. “I must not say anything about it. I am just seeing what is happening,” he said.

At the same time, the revelation of the huge treasure has become a big headache for the Government because of security reasons. Even top officials in the State police are skeptical about the force’s ability to provide foolproof security to such huge wealth - which has now become a world attraction - kept at one place.

Security experts say that the Kerala Police do not have the means and expertise to provide security to such huge wealth. “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,” said a retired official of the Intelligence Bureau.

Kottiyoor Temple
Dakshan, the son of Brahma, set out on a ‘Tapas’ as directed by his father. The ‘Tapas’ was to have the mighty Durga to be born as his daughter. After a long time, Durga materilised before him and agreed to his wish on the condition that, she would cease to be his daughter and turn destructive if she is slighted. Months later Dakshan’s pregnant wife Prasoothi gave birth to a baby girl. Dakshan named her ‘Sathi’ while people called her ‘Dakshayani’. Sathi grew up into an incredibilly beautiful young woman, desired by one and all.
Dakshan now sought to increase his prestige, through a prestigious matrimonial alliance for his daughter. But Sathi loved, worshiped and wished to marry Lord Shiva, residing in Kailasa.
Dakshan tried his best to change Sathi’s intention, heaping insults on Shiva.
Dakshan never had a liking for Lord Shiva. He was quite derisive towards Lord Shiva, While Shiva was always tolerant of the rich, arrogant Dakshan.
It was time for ‘Sathi’s’ swayamvaram. Nobles and kings from all over were invited. A clay model of Shiva was placed at the entrance, as a common doorkeeper,Dakshan’s ultimate insult of the Lord.
Sathi walked in, but her searching eyes could not see Shiva anywhere. She waited. Then walked out and placed the garland on the clay model of Shiva.
Shiva appeared at once. Accepted Sathi and returned to Kailasa. Dakshan’s fury now turned on his daughter too.
The annual festival at Kottiyoor Shiva Temple is 28 days festival which begins on the Chothi nakshatram or Swati Naksthtra in the Malayalam month of Edavam. The Neyyattam ritual on the Chothi day marks the beginning of the festival and the Thrikkalashaattu ritual on the Chothi nakshatram of Mithunam month marks the end of the festival. Below are the details of dates of Vaisakha Maholsavam Festival 2011 at Kottiyoor Mahadeva Kshetram.

Kalam Varavu

Kalam –pots for kalam pooja, conducted on makam, pooram, uthram days, are brought to Kottiyoor from the villege Nallur; Four families – Nellooranmaar – hailing from kulalaya – caste engaged in making pots – have this right by birth. 156 pots bound together with strips from plants growing wild , in bundles of 12 each are brought in a procession. 12 people form the procession. They reach Kottiyoor after dusk. Before reaching Akkere kottiyoor, they remove their cloths and put on leaves instead. Rites demand, that by the time they reach Akkare Kottiyoor, the ‘Sannidhanam’ – temple premises should be in pitch darkness. All the settlements should have shut their doors, and the people inside should sit in the dark. Pannoor Sthanikan Brahmin, binds his eyes and sits with his back turned on the Manithara. After offering the pots, the pot bearers on reaching the Manithara are given prasadam from the back. The pots are kept in the settlement of karimbanekkal Chathoth. All except Nellooral sthanikan, then return. 142 pots are used in pooja. Its at night, sacred and secret, these poojas cannot be witnessed by anyone. Kala pooja takes place on Pooram or Uthram at night.
Makam Kalam Varavu – 8th June 2011(No entry for women after 12.00 noon)
Attham Chathu Satham, Kalasha Pooja – 11th June 2011
Thrikkalashaattu – 12th June 2011 (Festival concludes)
Elaneer Vayppu, Elaneeraattam, and Rohini Aaradhana are some of the important rituals performed as part of the Vaisakha Maholsavam festival at Kottiyoor Shiva Temple. Women devotees are not allowed to enter Akkare Kottiyoor temple before Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu reaches Akkare Kottiyoor Temple on 17th May 2011 (2nd Edavam 1186) and after Makam Sheeveli on 8th June 2011.

I am so puzzled as to the amount of litter that Kerala has. It never ceases to amaze me to be traveling behind others who do not think twice about throwing out their litter. Drive any commercial corridor along our city and you will see pile after pile of litter. Papers, cups, you name it, you will find it. My question has always been, Why? Why do people litter? I have watch as the person waiting for the bus throws her trash on the sidewalk versus putting it in the garbage receptacle 5 feet away. Or the man drinking the soda passes a can and throw it in someones yard instead. Is it laziness? Is it education?

An the most important question is how do we stop it? Each year, the state pays millions tons of garbage to clean. If they could stop the cycle, the funds could be used for other projects. Do we fine? Do we force mandatory community service? How do we become cleaner?

Monsoon Tourism in Kerala

Monsoon the sound itself makes one in high spirits. The intoxicating smell of the dry Earth getting drenched, the splashing waters and the tiny paper boats sailing on the clogged water make monsoons the favorite season in Kerala. After the long summer months when the heat and the dust ruled the roost, the monsoons are a welcome change. The farmers rejoice in the showers that promise to bring them prosperity. Feel the magic of monsoon...
Monsoons the season of rainbows and raindrops is certainly not to be wasted indoors. The very special season of the year, Monsoon brings everything to you fresh. The washed streets and the fresh leaves seem to smile with you. A monsoon is certainly not getting all packed in rain coats, Monsoons are fun time. Getting wet, splashing and swimming or wading through knee deep waters, sailing paper boats are some little deeds you may indulge in. You may try out an Ayurveda vacation in the monsoons too. The best way to rejuvenate your soul and replenish your body, Ayurvedic is a great option for monsoons. Monsoon is a season for rejuvenation, when the people take special diet and ayurvedic therapies for rejuvenation and longevity. According to Ayurveda, monsoon is an ideal season to take treatments for various diseases.

In all over we can see the joy of monsoon on everyone faces. Kids dancing on streets, elders enjoying rain from the sit-out of their house and women preparing hot vadas and coffee for everyone in the family are symbol of first monsoon rain. and what else the people sharing a common umbrella on the public place.
Traditionally, the advent of the monsoon has meant a sharp fall in the number of tourists visiting Kerala. However, Kerala Tourism is now working on a new 'monsoon campaign' to attract visitors to the State during the rainy season. Over the past two-three years, Kerala Tourism has quietly worked to attract tourists to the State during the 'off season', especially the monsoon. Monsoons in Kerala are the most enchanting in India. With green pastures at its best, it is the most sought after destination during rainy season. The state is promoting itself extensively in the field of health tourism especially Ayurveda. The equable climate during Monsoon and natural abundance of herbs and medicinal plants in its flora, Kerala is fast capturing the attention of International tourists as a prime destination to visit during the Monsoon Season. With its abundant water reservoir of waterfalls and natural lakes, Northeastern region is also fast emerging as a hot monsoon destination among local as well as International tourists.
Kerala Tourism is also working out a schedule of events to be conducted across the State during the monsoon months. A 'monsoon food festival', a music festival and a theatre festival are some of the events being planned. Kerala Tourism is also looking at organising a folklore festival, as many of Kerala folk traditions and arts are strongly associated with the monsoon.
The romance of the monsoon, with its abundant rains and lush green landscape that has been rhapsodized down the ages in verse and song, can be promoted as a "unique" tourist attraction. Monsoon in India are exquisite and to fillip the tourist activities during monsoon season, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has mooted the idea of providing tourists “a unique experience” in the form of “Special Tourism Packages”. A CII study paper has recommended states like Kerela, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttranchal, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh to promote themselves as Monsoon tourism destinations by introducing special schemes to attract tourists within the country and all over the world. These schemes will generate new employment avenues and also help government earn precious foreign exchange that International tourists will spend during their stay in Kerala.