Just two guards to secure 65kg of temple gold, precious stones

A vault brimming with more than 64.5 kg of gold ornaments, a trove of over a hundred precious stones including sapphires, rubies, agate and hessonite, a silver collection and elephant tusks is safeguarded by a mere four temporary guards—only two of whom are on duty at any time—at the Thrippunithura Poornathrayeesa Temple.The temple’s valuable holdings are virtually unprotected beyond the presence of this minimal, unarmed security detail.

- HD Bureau

Located in the suburb of Kochi, the temple is overseen by the Cochin Devaswom Board, which administers thousands of temples in the region.

The recent disclosure that the temple's rich offerings—from gold ornaments used in daily rituals and festival processions to valuable gemstones and ivory tusks—is entrusted to just two unarmed guards per shift has prompted concern among devotees and governance watchdogs alike.

Temple officials say the 64.5 kg of gold is used annually for poojas, festivals and silverware enhancement.