The decision was made at a special cabinet meeting on March 13, where the government endorsed the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) resolution to protect Sabarimala’s traditional practices. The government will file an affidavit with the Supreme Court by March 14, responding to questions about constitutional and legal aspects that are not directly related to women’s entry.

This move comes as review petitions against the 2018 verdict, which allowed women of all ages, are set for hearings starting April 7 before a three-judge bench. The BJP leader, Kummanam Rajasekharan, has criticized the government’s decision, claiming it is an attempt to gain political advantage in the next election.

The CPI(M) state secretary, MV Govindan, however, emphasized that the party maintains its core position, seeking expert input and considering believers’ feelings while balancing faith with rights. He denied any ideological reversal, citing the party’s history of respecting customs through expert input.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Sabarimala gold theft case has arrested the temple’s chief priest, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, on Friday, sources said.

The case involves allegations that in 2019, parts of the temple, including door frames and Dwarapalaka idols (guardian deity statues), were sent for gold-plating but were not returned in full. This raised suspicions of theft and misappropriation, leading to a detailed investigation.

The case is being closely monitored by the High Court, and the SIT was formed to carry out a thorough probe. The arrest of the chief priest marks a significant development in the investigation, as authorities look into how the gold items were handled and who may be responsible for their disappearance.

Investigators are expected to question the priest and others involved to recover the missing gold and ensure accountability. The case has attracted widespread attention due to the temple’s religious significance and the high value of the gold involved.

His recollection comes ahead of his scheduled visit on January 11, when he will take part in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations.

In a post on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said that the attacks on Somnath Temple, including the one in January 1026, and later assaults, could not weaken the spiritual strength of the people.

Travel creator Gaurav shared a video on Instagram showing him and a friend exploring the temple. They turned their visit into a game, trying to spot familiar characters hidden in the intricate stone carvings.

As the camera moves across the temple walls and pillars, the pop-culture figures slowly appear. Wolverine is carved mid-snarl, Mickey Mouse is tucked into the designs, and other superheroes and cartoon characters blend in with the traditional artwork.

The temple has become famous not just for its religious significance but also for its creative and playful carvings, which attract tourists and social media users from around the world. Visitors are now enjoying the unique mix of spiritual tradition and modern pop culture at Wat Pariwat.

PM Modi recalled that the temple was first destroyed 1,000 years ago in 1026 AD. Over the centuries, it faced several attacks, but despite this, the temple stands today in unmatched glory.

In his blog post, the Prime Minister spoke about the enduring strength and spirit of India’s civilisation. He wrote, “The story of Somnath, a thousand years after the first attack, is not defined by destruction. It is defined by the unbreakable courage of crores of children of Bharat Mata.”

Through his words, PM Modi emphasized that the history of Somnath is a story of resilience and courage, not just of destruction. He highlighted the bravery and determination of generations of Indians who rebuilt the temple, turning it into a symbol of national pride and faith.

The Prime Minister’s message reminds people that India’s cultural heritage and spiritual strength have survived through centuries of challenges, and that the story of Somnath inspires courage and unity among the citizens of the country.

The investigation began after serious allegations that large amounts of gold plating from sacred items at the famous Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple in Kerala were stolen during restoration work in 2019 and 2025. The Kerala High Court asked the SIT to investigate after officials noticed missing gold plates that had been sent to workshops in Chennai and other cities.

Local police said that SIT officers, led by senior DSP Suresh Babu, searched the home of a man named Krishna in Rajapalayam and questioned him at the Sethur rural police station. The SIT has also asked him to report to its office in Thiruvananthapuram for further questioning. Krishna, however, denied any connection to the case and said that no gold or related items were found during the search.

The Sabarimala gold theft case has already led to several arrests, including former officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board and others suspected of removing gold-plated shields from the Dwarapalaka idols and panels from the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Investigators say there is a shortfall of 4.54 kilograms of gold, raising concerns that it was misappropriated during restoration and gold-plating work carried out by private contractors.

The celebrations began at 5:15 am with the ceremonial Vaikunta Dwara Pratishta. After this, devotees were allowed to enter through the Utthara Dwara (North Gate), which is traditionally believed to bring liberation and the Lord’s blessings.

The first darshan (viewing) of Vaikunta Dwara was offered to Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada. Devotees also had darshan of Swayambhu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Sri Radha Govinda, who were beautifully decorated in a special Lakshmi Narayana Alankara.

The festival created a serene and divine atmosphere, allowing devotees to experience spiritual joy and connect deeply with the Lord.

As the national temple for all Hindu devotees in Bangladesh, Dhakeshwari Temple
holds a special place in the hearts of the people. It is dedicated to the mother
goddess, and generations of worshippers have visited the temple to seek blessings,
perform rituals, and pursue spiritual growth.

Despite facing the challenges of time, including political and social changes,
the temple has remained intact and continues to be a vibrant center for religious
and cultural activities. Its long history reflects the resilience, faith, and
devotion of the people of Bangladesh, who have preserved it as a symbol of their
spiritual commitment and cultural identity.

The Dhakeshwari Temple is not only a site for worship but also a reminder of the
rich traditions and history of Bangladesh. It continues to attract devotees and
visitors alike, who come to admire its architecture, participate in religious
ceremonies, and feel a connection to the country’s deep-rooted heritage.

According to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), this is a 33.33% increase
compared to last year, when the temple collected Rs 69 crore during the same period.

The rise in revenue shows the large number of devotees visiting the temple
this year. The Mandala-Makaravilakku season, which is one of the most important
pilgrimage periods at the temple, attracts thousands of pilgrims from across the country.

The TDB said that the funds collected help in the maintenance of the temple,
improving facilities for devotees, and supporting various religious and social
activities organized by the temple.

Despite the court’s order, the temple management did not act, so the petitioner approached the
Endowment Department Commissioner, Ramachandra Mohan. The commissioner asked the in-charge
executive officer and deputy director N. Sujatha to submit a report on the issue.

Srinivasa Prasadacharyulu, who was serving as the in-charge main priest, filed the case
after being denied promotion to the main priest post. Traditionally, the assistant
main priest is promoted to the main priest position. However, Prasadacharyulu claimed
that while he was kept as in-charge, two assistant priests, Godavarthi Srinivasacharyulu
and I. V. Ramanacharyulu, were promoted on September 18, 2022.

Prasadacharyulu also alleged that, according to AP Dharmik Parishad rules, priests who
travel abroad should not be eligible for promotion, yet one of the promoted priests had
traveled to foreign countries several times.