Tungnath the highest Shiva temple in the world State-Uttarakhand

Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Tunganath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains forms the Valleys of Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers. Located at an altitude of 3,680 m (12,073 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila, Tungnath temple is the highest Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is the second in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars.

It is an ancient temple built in the North Indian style of temple architecture. It is small in size and can barely accommodate ten people in the sanctum. Surrounding this temple, there are a number of small shrines (about a dozen) of several gods. The sanctum part of the temple abuts the hills where the sacred standing black rock (swayambu or self manifest linga) with tilt to the left, of 1 ft (0.3 m) height, denoting the form of arms of Lord Shiva is worshipped. The construction of this temple is credited to Arjuna, the third of the Pandava brothers, who also worshiped here.

The temples inside the enclosure are made of stones with decorations painted on the outside and they depict tall towers. The highest dome has a wooden stage at the top. The dome has sixteen openings (pictured). The temple roofs are also made of stone slabs. At the entrance to the temple there is a Nandi stone image facing towards the sanctum where Shiva’s idol is deified. The Nandi’s flank is normally sanctified for worship with flowers and with three lines (tripundra) in yellow clay, with a mark denoting Shiva’s third eye, which is symbolic to Shiva’s devotees. At the right of the temple entrance there is the mandatory image of Ganesha. In the main sanctum, ashtadhatu (made of eight metals) idols of sage Vyas and Kala Bhairav (demi-god), disciples of Shiva, are also installed in the sanctum sanctorum. The temple also houses the images of the Pandavas and silver plaques of other four Kedar shrines.

Badami Cave Temples

The cave temples date back to 600 and 700 CE. Their architecture is a blend of North Indian Nagara Style and South Indian Dravidian style. As described above each cave has a sanctum sanctorum , a mandapa , a verandah and pillars . The cave temples also bear exquisite carvings , sculptures and beautiful murals.
An inscription found here records the creation of the shrine by Mangalesha in 578. There are some paintings on the ceiling and the style indicates maturity but has lost its original dazzling colour. The bracket figures on thepiers here are some of the finest.

Sriranga Rajagopura Darshanam

Anegudde Temple, Udupi, Karnataka, India.

Anegudde village is located at a distance of 9 km south of Kundapura, in Udupi District. Anegudde is also popularly called as Kumbashi. The name Kumbhashi is said to be derived from demon Kumbhasura. According to the history, when drought hit this area, Sage Agasthya performed penance to appease the Varuna, the Rain God. During the penance, demon Kumbhasura started troubling the sages. Bheemasena gets weapon from Lord Ganesha to kill Kumbahasura and assassinate him at this place. Anegudde is rewarded one of the seven 'Mukti Sthalas' of Karnataka (Parashurama kshetra). The temple at Anegudde is dedicated to Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha). Anegudde is the combination of two words - 'Aane' meaning 'Elephant' and 'Gudde', which stands for 'hillock' as it is the abode of the elephant-headed god, Lord Vinayaka.

Ancient Neelkantheshwar temple, Udaypura(Madhya Pradesh) Dated: ~11th century CE

ஹவாய் தீவில் உள்ள அற்புதமான கோயில்! ' கடவுள் டெம்பிள்'

அம்பாள் வீற்றிருந்து அருள் சுரக்கும் நயினாதீவு.

நன்றி குணாளன் கருணாகரன்.
அம்பாள் வீற்றிருந்து அருள் சுரக்கும் நயினாதீவு.
************************

நயினா தீவினை எல்லோருக்கும் நினைவூட்டுவது அருள் சுரக்கும் அன்னை நாகம்மாள் கோயிலாகும்.

மணிமேகலை எனும் தமிழ் மங்கை நல்லாள் வந்திறங்கியதற்கான சரித்திரப் பெருமையும் இவ்வூரிற்குண்டு.

வெளி வீதியில் சுற்றி வர நிற்கும் நிழல் தரு மரங்கள் இக்கோயிலின் வீதியை அழகு செய்கிறது.

புதிய கோபுரமும் கோயிலுக்குரிய புனரமைப்பு வேலைகளும் கோயிலின் அழகை மேலும் அதிகரித்திருக்கிறது.

நயினை நாகம்மாளின் வருடாந்த திருவிழா என்றால் சைவப்பெருமக்கள் எங்கிருப்பினும் போய்வரத் தவறமாட்டார்கள்.

புலம் பெயர்ந்த மக்களும் வருடம் ஒரு முறையாவது நாகம்மாள் கோயிலுக்கு வந்து செல்வது வழக்கமாய் உள்ளது . நயினையைச் சேர்ந்த மக்கள் எங்கு வாழினும் வருடாந்த திருவிழாவிற்கு சில நாட்களுக்கு முன்பே போய் விழா முற்றாக நிறைவடைந்த பின்னரே வாழ்விடம் திரும்புவர் .

அம்பாளின் நினைவின்றி அவர்கள் காலம் கடந்திடாது . அம்பாளிடம் அத்தனை நம்பிக்கையும் , பற்றும் அவர்களுக்குண்டு . இன்றைய காலங்களில் செவ்வாய் , வெள்ளி மற்றும் பூரணை தினங்களில் அதிக தொகையான மக்கள் அம்பாளிடம் போய் வருவதைக் காணலாம்.

கோயிலுக்கு செல்லும் அடியார்களுக்கு " அமுதசுரபி" அன்னதான சபையினர் நாள் தோறும் சிறப்பாக அன்னதானப் பணியை செய்து வருகின்றார்கள். இது ஓர் அரும்பெரும் காரியம், பாராட்டுக்குரிய செயல். ஆனாலும் கோயிலைச் சுற்றி நிற்கும் நிழல் தரு மரங்களைப் போல் ஏனைய தெரு ஓரங்களில் இல்லாமை பெருங்குறையாகவே உள்ளது. தெருவோரங்கள், மக்கள் நடமாடும் இடங்கள் எங்கும் நிழல் தரு மரங்கள் வேண்டும் . இதற்கான ஆக்கப்பணியை செய்வதற்கு அன்னதான சபையினர் முன் வரவேண்டும் . அதற்குரிய ஆற்றலும் வலிமையும் அவர்களுக்கு உண்டு.

வீட்டு நிலப்பரப்புக்கள் , காணிகள் , வயல்கள் எல்லாவற்றிகும் வரப்புகளை கட்டி மழை நீரை தேக்கினால் இங்குள்ள கிணறுகள் நன்னீர் வளமுடையதாக மாற்றம் அடையும். பனை , தென்னை ஏனைய வளங்களும் அதிகரிக்க வாய்ப்புண்டு. நீர் வளம் பெருகினால் நிலமும் வளம் கொழிக்கும்.

நயினாதீவைச் சேர்ந்த ஆசிரியர் ஒருவர் வேப்பமரங்களை வளர்த்து இலவசமாக வழங்கி வந்தார். புங்குடுதீவு மூன்றாம் வட்டாரத்தைச் சேர்ந்த வர்த்தகரான "சுப்பிரமணியம் திருநாவுக்கரசு" என்பவர் இவ்வாசிரியரிடம் வேப்பமரக் கன்றுகளை பெற்று குறிகாட்டுவான் பேச்சியம்மன் கோயில் வீதியில் நட்டு வளர்த்துள்ளார். இன்று அவை பெரும் நிழல் தரு மரங்களாய் வளர்த்து நிழல் பரப்பி நிற்கின்றன. வேப்பமரக் கன்றுகளை வளர்த்து இலவசமாக வழங்கி பெரும் பணி செய்த அவ் ஆசிரியப் பெருமகனை நன்றியுடன் நினைவு கூறி நிற்கின்றேன்.

வே.சு.கருணாகரன்.
முன்னாள் தலைவர். புங்குடுதீவு - நயினாதீவு பல நோக்கு கூட்டுறவு சங்கம்.

Srirangam

Srirangam is beautiful island surrounded by river Cauvery and Kollidam(tributary of Cauvery). srirangam is 8 miles in length and 4 miles in breadth. The population of Srirangam is about 50 thousands. It is 7 km from Trichy junction and it also has a railway station. The island town is surrounded by 7 walls. Sri Renganatha swami temple is one of the famous vaishnavite temples in India. There are 21 gopurams, the rajagopuram (principal tower) is largest gopuram in south India.  The 72m high, 13-tiered gopuram (towers) was built  in 1987 and dominates the landscape for miles  around,  while  the  remaining  20

gopurams were built, between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Srirangam is a holy place. Importantly for vaishnavates, because, their God Vishnu is in the name of “Renganathar” in a sleeping posture (called Anantha sayanam), which could not be seen any where else like this. Srirangam has got importance because of Renganathar temple. The Geographic location of this island between Rivers cauvery and kolidam is also a reason. There is a flower market in this place called as “sathara veedhi” from where flowers and Garlands are exported to various foreign countries.

A Garden which grows mangoes is also here. The name of that is “Thatha Chariyar Gardens”. They export tons of mangoes every year. There are totally five matriculation schools, Three Government aided schools and six primary schools providing an excellent education. This place is famous for Residential apartments. There are more than five hundred apartments in this place. Bus services are available round the clock to reach srirangam. Numerous taverns and inns are here to accommodate large number of tourists. Three art galleries are present where; people forget themselves in the beauty of antiques and crafts.

Location: Srirangam near Tiruchirappalli (Chola Naadu) Vishnu: Ranganathar, Azhagiya Manavaalan, Nam Perumaal Taayaar: Ranganayaki  Theertham: Chandra Pushkarini  Paasuram : All the Alwars with the exception of Madhurakavi Vimaanam: Pranavaakriti Vimaanam Travel Base: Tiruchirappalli

Description: This is the foremost of the 108 shrines glorified by the Alwars; all of the Alwars with the exception of Madhurakavi Alwar have sung of its glory. It is the one of the greatest centers of the Sri Vaishnava religion and among the most visited pilgrimage centers in India. Undoubtedly the largest temple in India, and one among the grandest, it is a treasure house of art  freezing various architectural styles over a period of time. It boasts of the tallest temple tower in India. Referred to as heaven on earth it is an ancient  center of worship - vibrant with tradition and festivals. The Pancharanga Kshetrams along the course of the Kaveri are Srirangapatnam (Karnataka), Srirangam, Koyiladi (Anbil) and Kumbhakonam andIndalur (Mayiladuturai). Srirangam is very closely associated with Ramanujacharya, the beacon of the Sri Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. Tiruvanaikka or Jambukeswaram, one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams (associated with the primary element water) of Shiva, is located in the vicinity. Srirangam is located near Tiruchirappalli in Tamilnadu.Deities: Ranganathar is enshrined in a reclining posture (facing the South); while Namperumaal the festival deity in a standing posture is also housed in the main sanctum. There is a shrine in the fourth prakaram, housing Ranganayaki Taayaar. Traditions: Araiyar Sevai, one of the ancient devotional art traditions of Tamilnadu, involving the expressive recitation of the Divya Prabandams, using movement, music originated here under the auspices of Nadamuni (10th century CE). Araiyar sevai is performed also at Srivilliputtur, Alwar Tirunagari and Melkote (Karnataka). The famous tamil literary work Kamba Ramayanam premiered here at Srirangam. The Temple: This temple enshrines Ranganathar in the central sanctum, crowned with a gold plated Pranava Vimanam or Paravasudeva Vimanam. A total of 7 concentric prakarams surround this shrine, housing several mandapams, tanks and shrines. The area enclosed by the outermost wall is over a hundred ares. Gopurams on the south and east of the 4th prakaram are the most impressive. A total of 21 towers adorn the temple. The Srirangam temple tradition is an ancient one. The Silappadikaaram of the Sangam period refers to Srirangam. All of the Alwars (with the exception of Madhurakavi) have sung in praise of Srirangam. The first (surviving ) stone inscription dates back to the period of Parantaka Chola (924 CE). The pillars here go back to the Chola period (13th century CE). The 1000 pillared hall is also the product of the late chola period, and is also in the 4th prakaram; its entrance is in the south. It is here where the adhyayanotsavam (involving the recitation of the Tamil Prabandam hymns)  is held. At the southern edge of the huge open courtyard, the Vijayanagara rulers added the hall with 8 pillars with huge horses. The Krishna Venugopala shrine on the southern side is also of great beauty.  The Garuda mandapam s located   in the third prakaram.. Its pillars go back to the Nayaks of 17th century Madurai. The Chandra and Surya Pushkarini tanks are located in the 3rd prakaram. Legends: Legend has it that the image of Ranganatha worshipped here, was originally worshipped by the clan of the Ishwakus, and it passed on to Rama. Rama upon his victorious return from Lanka, handed over this image to Vibhishana, who proceded to Lanka with the image. Circumstances caused him to place this image on the banks of the Kaveri, where Srirangam now is. ) A disappointed Vibhishana returned to SriLanka with the consolation that the image of Ranganatha at SriRangam would face South - in the direction of Lanka. A Chola monarch by name Dharmavaraman is said to have created a temple here. Legend also has it that the original temple was flooded by the Kaveri and was rediscovered by a later Chola emperor. History:  Temple life at Srirangam evolved after Nadamuni (923 - 1023 CE) compiled the hymns of the Alwars and gave them a musical form. During Ramanuja’s time (12th century CE), Srirangam was a well established institution. The Pandya rulers, from the 13th century onwards gave the temple, immeasurable support; the gold plating of the vimanam being first of their endowments. The Hoysala kings, who set up a military base outside Srirangam also made contributions. The temple was desecrated by the Delhi armies in 1313, and was closed for 60 years. From the end of the 14th century, the temple came back to life, and much of what is seen today is a result of  the rebuilding activity which heppened during the time of the Vijayanagar rulers. Festivals: An elaborate protocol of worship services is offered here throughout the day. On about 120 days, the Utsavamurthy is taken out in procession out of the inner sanctum. Aadi bhrammotsavam is celebrated in Panguni. The grand Adhyayanotsavam is celebrated in the month of Margazhi, involving the recitation of the Prabandham hymns or Alwar Pasurams in the thousand pillared hall. Also in Srirangam is the Dasavataram temple, the only one of its kind, enshrining the ten incarnations of Vishnu along with Lakshmi Narasimhar and Vishwaksenar. This temple was built by Tirumangaialwar and is now under the administration of the Ahobila Mutt.. The Tirumangaimannan festival is celebrated here.

Srirangam Renganatha Temple History

Srirangam Ranganathar( gold)

The history of the holy place srirangam is thousands of years old. To explain it, One has to look backward the history of entire tamilnadu where an advancement in civilization was seen. The inscriptions of this place gives in formation about the life style of tribal who where living here quite long before, Aryans entered the Asian subcontinent-india. Initially chola’s domination was seen, when Trade relationship of tamilnadu was good with many south Asian countries especially with china. Chola’s were the barriers to mauryas to stop entering them. That period dates to 3 BC. Later, Guptas and chalukyas were dominant. out of chalukkyas pulikesi II was a diplomatic dictator.  Architectural beauties were a dream in those days.  But pallavas, By start of 4th century made it real. Their excellence could be seen in temples like Mahabalipuram in Chennai and Rockfort temple of Trichy . Chola’s of Thanjavur again came in to the scene by 9th century and built many important temples. The Brahadishwara temple of Thanjavur built by RajaRaja chola and the Gangaikonda cholapuram temple Built by his son Rajendra chola are best examples. Chola dynasty end up in 14th century and then pandyas took charge. Pandyas even though were capable of with standing the encounters from mugal emperors; at last sinked. But mugal empire was not seen for more years, as Vijayanagar Empire started up. They started ruling their region individually from 1602 AD. After wards the Portuguese entered and were ruling fore some years. Even though Portuguese, French, Dutch and Britishers wanted to capture the region and also the whole country, it was English men who were ruling the country for more than three centuries till independence. Srirangam Origin and Development The vimana of srirangam temple originally came out of “parkadal” with the powers of brahma dava. The incarnation of lord Vishnu called Ramavathara has performed poojas to this vimana. But as a symbol of love he gifted this vimana to vibishana (brother of Ravana). With a condition, to not to keep that on earth. While he took this vimana and was traveling towards srilanka, lord vinayaka played a trick and made that to stick on the region now called srirangam, on the banks of river cauvery. Then chola kings namely dharmavarcholan and killivalavan developed the shrine into big temple seen now. They have laid the Basic foundations and primary Buildings. Srirangam Temple is located at 10’52 Degrees North and 78’43 Degrees East in Between the Rivers cauvery and kolidam. There are seven wall streets around this temple called as the saptha prakarams. This is the only temple in world to have seven prakarams. The area of this temple is 156 sq km and Round about area is nearly 10710 sq feet. Out of seven prakarams four are seen inside the temple and three are outside. They are namely Uthra Street, Chitra Street and Adayavalanjan Street. There is a large tower on the south side called Rajagopuram which is the highest temple tower of south asia. Including that there are totally 26 Gopurams (Towers) on the four sides of Temples. There are totally three entrances for this temple. South, North and East entrances are those. There is a full fledged Transportation arrangement to visit this place and so Buses are available 24 hours a day. Other important sannathis (Temples) in srirangm temples other than perumal (the principal deity) are namely. (a) Thayar sannathi (b) Chakkarathazwar sannathi (c) Udayavar (Ramanujar sannathi) (d) Garudalwar Sannathi (e) Veliandal Sannathi (f) Ul Andal Sannathi But totally there are 53 additional small temples called upa-sannathis this in this large temple complex called srirangam. about temple The Shehsaraya Mandapa (Horsecourt Hall) is on the east side of the temple. It has 8 intricately carved monolithic pillars of men on rearing horses. On the same side of the temple (northeast side) is the impressive "Hall of a Thousand Pillars." Each of the 5.5m (18 ft) granite pillars is intricately carved. This hall actually has only 953 pillars. In the center of the hall is a pedestal shaped like a processional car. During Vaikuntha Ekadasi, the processional deity is brought to this pedestal before going on procession. Each morning at 6.45 am, a cow with her head facing away from Lord Ranganatha and an elephant facing the cow are brought before the altar. Thus when the deity's doors are opened the first thing that Lord Ranganatha sees is the rear end of a cow and the head of an elephant, which are both considered very auspicious. I was told that instead of a conch-shell being blown, the elephant blows his trunk. This is the most auspicious time to see Lord Ranganatha. Sri Narasimha. You then exit out the north gate and reach the goddess Sri Ranga Nachiyar Lakshmi Temple, on your left, in the northeast area of the temple. Lakshmi is the consort of Ranganatha. In the center hall of the temple there is a diorama of Sri Chaitanya and a deity of Lord Jagannath carved by Lord Chaitanya Himself. The family descendants of Vyenkata Bhatta still live in Srirangam Ramanuja's samadhiSri Ramanujacarya made the Srirangam Temple his headquarters. His samadhi (tomb) is within the premises of the Srirangam Temple ....When Ramanuja finished speaking, his disciples asked him that they would not be deprived of the sight of his transcendental form. Ramanuja accepted their request and ordered that expert sculptors be brought there to carve deity in his likeness. After three days the work was finished. Then the deity was bathed with water from the Kaveri river and installed upon newly constructed altar. Yatiraja then came slowly up to the deity and filled it with his potency by breathing into the crown of the head... The main deity is Lord Ranganatha, or Lord Vishnu, reclining on Sesa Naga. He is 6.4 m (21 ft) long. Lord Ranganatha is in a recumbent pose with his right shoulder facing south. He is on a couch provided by the coils of the celestial serpent Adi Sesa, who has five raised and wide-open hoods. Near his feet are seated his two consorts, Sri Bhu and Sri Neela. In front of Lord Ranganatha is the utsava-murti of Lord Vishnu, called Sri Manavala Perumal. This deity is taken out of the temple for processions. Along side Lord Ranganatha is Tiruvaranga, who was worshiped as a substitute during the Muslim period, when the original could not be found. At the feet of the Lord is Vibhi-shana, the brother of Ravana.

Kerala temple treasure litigant dies aged 70

Thiruvananthapuram: Advocate T.P. Sundararajan, who had petitioned India's apex court to open the vaults of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple here and take stock of its contents, passed away at his home on Sunday.

The 70-year-old Sundararajan had been suffering from old age-related health problems, and the end came early on Sunday morning.

The startling findings at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, with treasures estimated to be worth nearly Rs1 trillion (Dh82.4 billion), happened after Sundararajan's intervention in the matter.

Sundararajan, a former Indian Police Service official who had served in Delhi in the intelligence services, was keen to put an end to speculation about the treasures in the temple, and also to ensure their safety.

He had faced threats after he went ahead with the petition to open the vaults of the temple.

However, the law graduate pressed ahead with his demand, and when the vaults were opened, with the exception of one chamber, a mind-boggling amount of wealth was revealed, which makes the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple the wealthiest in the world.

The Supreme Court has restrained the opening of the temple's B vault for the time being.

Sundararajan had worked with the federal intelligence team in Delhi when Indira Gandhi was prime minister. He later returned to Thiruvananthapuram to take care of his ailing father, and also taught as a professor of law.

A bachelor, Sundrarajan stayed in the Fort area of Thiruvananthapuram, not far from the temple, the mysteries of which he helped unravel.

However, the superstitious sections among the society believe that he had angered the deity by dragging the royal family, the custodian of the temple to the court. They have viewed his death as a result of the ‘fury of the deity’.

“The royal family has protected the deity’s wealth all these years. Anybody, who tries to defame the royal family, will actually be defaming the deity. They will certainly suffer for their action”, says Anil Kumar, a shopkeeper near the temple. Many devotees believe that the opening of the vaults in the temple was against the ‘wish of the deity’. In fact, the royal family themselves have warned the authorities against opening the sixth vault. In a sworn affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, Rama Varma, scion of the royal family, said the opening of the sixth vault could result in inviting the wrath of the deity. He pointed out that the vault had an insignia of a “serpent” indicating that it would not be advisable to open it.

The sign of the ‘serpent’ is a warning that it is not auspicious to open the vault. K K Venugopal, the counsel for the royal family suggested an appeasement ceremony be held before opening the vault to mollify the deity when the case was last heard by the apex court.

The royal family wants a decision on this to be taken after conducting the traditional “deva prasanam”, an astrological ritual performed by temples.

The Supreme Court had deferred the opening of the sixth vault, which is believed to contain another treasure trove, following fight for the wealth among various sections of the people. The court insisted on ensuring security to the treasures already discovered before opening the last vault.

Golden Bird India, Fossils Found in Sri Padmanabhan Temple Vikash Singh ,

Trivandrum, July 7: A mesmerising treasury of gold and silver coins, jewels and precious stones in the Sree Padmanabhan temple of Kerla in India has surprised the world as sealed vaults were opened.

The state government has recently increased the security net after the discovery of treasure; it has once again shown the world about the wealthiest religious institutions in the country.

Four vaults have recently opened at the Sree Padmanabhan temple in Trivandrum, which is unofficially estimated to be worth about $22 billion. A few more vaults will be opened on July 8.

The thousands of statues of gods and goddesses made of solid gold and studded with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones, crowns and necklaces were all given as gifts to the gods over the centuries.

  

The quantity of gold and silver coins was so much that the officials involved in counting weighed the coins by the sackful rather than counting them.

Sree Padmanabhan temple, built by the maharajas who ruled the then-kingdom of Travancore, remained under the control of the erstwhile royal family of the region after India's independence in 1947.

India's Apex Court ordered the careful inspection of the vaults after a lawyer petitioned a local court asking the Kerala Government to take over the Sree Padmanabhan temple, citing inadequate security. The current Maharaja of Travancore appealed to the Apex Court against the petition.

The inventory opened last week, and the final vaults are expected to be unlocked soon. The public knows the treasures in the temple, but the quantum mesmerises everybody.

Before the trove was opened, there was almost no security at the temple, except for a few local guards patrolling the complex with batons, mainly for the crowd control objective.

Kerala's police have sent extra police officers to the temple and are planning a high-tech security system to protect the treasure soon.

"We plan to enhance security in a manner which will not interfere with the activities of the temple or devotees," Kerala's police chief, Jacob Punnoose, said to the media.

Manoj Abraham, police commissioner in Trivandrum, said two battalions of special armed police would provide security outside the temple complex.

"Later, we will discuss with temple authorities and members of the former royal family what kind of permanent security system should be put in place," Abraham said.

Every year, devout Hindus donate cash, gold, and silver to temples, whose value is millions. Some of the temples in India are so wealthy that they have formed trusts that run schools, colleges, and hospitals that offer free treatment to poor people.

The new discovery of the Sree Padmanabhan temple has sparked a debate over the future of the treasure trove.

Vellappally Nateshan, a Hindu leader, requested the wealth to remain with the temple authorities.

Some social activists in Kerala have demanded the treasure be handed to a national trust to help the country's poor people.

However, Kerala's Chief Minister Oommen Chandy assured the people that the wealth would remain with the temple."It is the property of the temple. The government will protect the wealth at the temple."

Chandy said the government would bear the cost of stepping up security at the temple and ensuring that worshippers were not inconvenienced.