Should Kerala temple keep the money?

The treasure trove worth thousands of crores of rupees, more than India's annual education budget, has set tongues wagging. Keralites are now divided on the mountain of wealth unearthed at the Shri Padmnabhaswamy temple.

Rahul Eshwar from the Sabarimala Priest Family said, "We should take a moderate view on this, not a far right or left one. If it is possible to transact atleast one per cent can be used for social cause, like build a super speciality hospital, where free treatment can be given to poor people beyond caste or religion, it will be a great thing."

Radhika C Nair said, "Some of it can be exhibited in a museum, but only at a place where safety is paramount. Like how they have displayed valuables in foreign countries. People have the right to see it as it is also a mesmerizing experience."

The Kerala government says the wealth belongs to the temple and should be preserved there. The Travancore Royal family which runs the temple has maintained a studied silence. But it may be the Supreme Court which will ultimately decide how best to deal with it.

Member of Supreme Court Appointed Committee Justice CS Rajan said, "We have been asked to prepare a list, we were never asked to give a valuation of the worth of these items. Whatever figures that you (Media) are quoting is imaginative, Let me make it clear, this is not a treasure; these are items that have been in the temple."

What is clear though is that with Chamber B yet to be opened, the debate is not likely to die down soon.