World's richest Kerala temple to get security gadgets worth Rs.23.61 crore

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The Kerala government on Wednesday cleared a proposal for purchase of security gadgets worth Rs.23.61 crore to provide security to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here, rated the richest temple in the world.

In July 2011 a Supreme Court committee found six vaults in the 16th century temple laden with treasure. The bullion in five of the vaults is estimated to be worth Rs.1 lakh crore. One vault is yet to be opened.

"The (security) proposal was put up by the state-owned Keltron (an electronics corporation) which estimated purchase of security gadgets worth Rs 23.61 crore in three phases. For the first phase, we have given the administrative sanction to buy equipment worth Rs.9.80 crore," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday night.

The temple has been maintained by the royal family of Travancore.

Two separate committees appointed by the Supreme Court are currently preparing an inventory of the valuables.