TDB to launch digital system to track gold and valuables in temples

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is set to implement a digital tracking system for gold and other valuable properties in temples, including Sabarimala, allowing officials to monitor assets through computers.

Under the initiative, whenever Thiruvabharanam, including ornaments, is moved from the strong room to the shrine, sent for maintenance, or otherwise handled, all details will be digitised along with the Mahasar. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has provided the software free of cost.

Officials will be responsible for preparing the Mahasar and transferring gold ornaments and other items received as offerings or gifts to the strong room within a specified timeframe. For transfers from Sabarimala to the Aranmula temple, the allotted time is five days.

“The account of all properties and related information will be fully digital. Details of transactions and the officials handling them will be available immediately on computers or laptops,” explained Board President PS Prashanth.

The NIC software has already been digitised the administration of 44,000 temples in Tamil Nadu. Initially, strong rooms in Sabarimala and Aranmula will be digitised, with the remaining TDB strong rooms following the same model over approximately six months.

An e-office system will also be introduced, covering land records, property accounts, construction works, temple lands, employee data, bill payments, and more.

Assets to be digitised Include:

• Thiruvabharanam, salagrams, gold and silver bars, gemstones, Prabhamandalam, and other temple offerings.
• Idols made of black stone, bronze, copper, silver, gold, Panchaloham, or wood.
• Pattuparivattom (archaeologically valuable alavattams, venchamarams, umbrellas), jars of copper, brass, iron, steel, valuable chandeliers, bells, vessels, and uruli.
• Wooden utensils, ivory articles, furniture, clocks, pictures, books, conch shells, and other artefacts of archaeological importance.

This digitisation effort aims to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and preservation of temple assets.