Sabarimala peedam puzzle: Twist emerges as sponsor’s sister reveals how item was kept at her house

The mystery over the missing Sabarimala peedam (pedestal) of the Dwarapalaka idols took a dramatic turn when the Travancore Devaswom Board’s Vigilance team recovered it from the house of sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti’s sister, Mini Devi, in Venjaramoodu..

The Kerala High Court had ordered a probe after noticing irregularities in the weight of the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalakas. It was then Potti revealed he had also sponsored a gold-plated pedestal during the 2019 plating works. He claimed the peedam, delivered to TDB officials in 2020, was no longer seen at the shrine.

Worker and sister in spotlight

The Vigilance team could not trace the peedam in the TDB strong room. Sources said the pedestal had actually been kept at the residence of one of Potti's workers. “Sources said the peedam had actually been kept at the residence of one of Potty's workers. “After media reports about the missing peedam, the worker informed Potty that it was in his custody. It was then shifted to the house of Potty's relative in Venjaramoodu,” sources said.

During a recent interrogation, the worker confessed to having the peedam in his possession, which eventually led to its recovery, they added.

Meanwhile, Mini Devi (sponsor’s sister) told Mathrubhumi News that Potti and another person left a sealed package at her home early on September 25. “I was told it was a shield. I did not know that it was the peetham and had not seen the item,” she said. She explained that temple-related materials such as pooja items or shields were often left at her house, with others collecting them later.

However, no one came to pick up this package. When the Vigilance team asked for the item, she immediately handed it over. “The Vigilance officers did not demand anything specifically, only asked for the item left here. I immediately called Unnikrishnan, and he then responded that the item had been with someone else,” she added.

Suspicious conduct

While the peedam has been safely shifted back to Sabarimala, the trail through Potti’s sister has raised eyebrows. His version of events, coupled with shifting custody of the sacred pedestal, has left many unconvinced. Mini’s words suggest that the peedam had actually been with the worker and was possibly kept at her home by Potti as a precautionary measure to manage the situation.

TDB Vigilance SP Sunil Kumar said a detailed report will be filed before the High Court. TDB President P S Prasanth also confirmed the recovery, adding that further details cannot be revealed as the case is before the court.