In recent times, the Supreme Court (SC) of India upheld the Travancore royal family’s right to manage Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s property. This Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has garnered significant attention since the discovery of a treasure worth over Rs. 1 lakh crore in its underground vaults in 2011.
Judgement Details
The SC’s decision was a reversal of the 2011 Kerala High Court ruling. The previous decision had instructed the Kerala government to establish a trust to oversee the temple’s management and assets. This 2011 judgement ruled that the late royals’ successor could not claim control over the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple following the definition change of ‘Ruler’ in Article 366 (22) of the Constitution of India. This amendment, made by the Twenty Sixth (Constitutional) Amendment Act, 1971, led to the abolishment of the privy purses.
Despite this, the SC refuted the earlier verdict, stating that the royal family retained the ‘shebait rights’ – the right to manage the deity’s financial affairs – even after the last ruler’s death. Hence, the definition of Ruler is still valid for the purpose of shebait rights and transfers to the successor.
Administrative Committees Setup
Accepting the royal family’s submission that the temple is public, the SC directed the formation of an administrative committee, to be chaired by the Thiruvananthapuram District Judge, for future transparent administration. This committee would include the trustee’s nominee (royal family), the temple’s head thanthri, a State-nominated individual, and a member nominated by the Union Ministry of Culture. A second committee, headed by a retired High Court judge nominated by the Kerala High Court’s Chief Justice, was also ordered for policy advising.
The main responsibilities of these committees are the preservation of the temple’s treasures and properties.
Historical Background
Since 1949, as per the Instrument of Accession signed between the princely states and the Government of India, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s administration was entrusted to the Ruler of Travancore. However, in 1971, a constitutional amendment led to the abolishment of privy purses for former royals, stripping them of their entitlements and privileges.
When Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, Travancore’s last ruler, died in 1991, his brother Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma took over temple management. This move sparked an outcry since he had no legal right to claim control or management of the temple.
About Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Historians believe that the temple’s origins date back to the 8th century, but its existing structure was constructed in the 18th century by then-Travancore Maharaja, Marthanda Varma. Initially built from wood, it was later constructed with granite. Its architecture follows the unique Chera style.
The temple’s main deity is Lord Vishnu, displayed in the Anantha Shayana posture (reclined posture of eternal yoga) on Adishesha, the king of all serpents. The temple is one of the 108 holy temples associated with Vaishnavism in India.
