120-sovereign Makutam missing from temple Kolam

TRIPUNITHURA: In a shocking revelation, senior officials of the Cochin Devaswom Board on Wednesday found gold weighing 954 gm (around 120 sovereign) was missing from the Swarna Kolam of Sree Poornathrayeesa temple.

The Swarna Kolam is meant for the Thidambu of the deity on the auspicious occasions such as Thirkketta Purappadu during Vrischikolsavam and the Para Ezhunnallippu.

The gold Makutam (decorative top of the Kolam) was found replaced with imitation material.

The missing of the original gold Makutam from the Kolam came to the notice of Pandam Pathram (utensils and ornaments) special officer Rajan K Thalappilly and Assistant Commissioner of Tripunithura Group Komalam when they took the Kolam from the storeroom for repair work before the commencement of Para Ulsavam which will begin by the end of this month.

An appraiser from Bheema Jewellery was also present for confirming the missing of the real gold Makutam.

When the missing of the real gold Makutam was confirmed, the Devaswom Board registered a case at Hill Palace police station and appointed Devaswom Vigilance Officer Subramanyam for conducting a departmental inquiry.

“After getting the detailed report of the departmental inquiry, the board will take further action in this case,” said K.K.Mohanan, Devaswom Board member.

“The gold Kolam, which was presented by the Kochi Maharaja, is decorated with invaluable gems and pearls,” Mohanan said.

“In the first inspection, we could find the replacement of the original Makutam with a low quality imitation,” Mohanan said.

Two years ago, seven gold caparisons were found missing from the storeroom of the devaswom office. After a month, one of them was found hanging from a nearby tree.

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