Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has prioritised the digitalisation of temple accounts, following directions from the Kerala High Court, TDB president K Jayakumar said on Saturday.

Jayakumar said the digital transformation of all financial and administrative records across temples under the Board is expected to be completed within one year. The move is aimed at improving transparency, accountability and governance in temple administration.

He also said a “righteous decision” would be taken when it is time for Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru to assume charge as the chief priest of the Sabarimala temple. “The term of the current Tantri, Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, ends in October 2026. Rajeevaru’s turn will come after that, and an appropriate and righteous decision will be taken then,” Jayakumar told reporters.

Rajeevaru is currently in judicial custody in connection with the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala shrine.

Stressing the need for strict action against corruption in places of worship, Jayakumar said temples must function with the highest standards of righteousness and integrity.

On the digital initiative, he said the Board has prepared a digitalisation roadmap and informed the High Court about it. The Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure (KITFRA) has been appointed to assist in implementing the project.

“We will codify our requirements and publish them. Let a vendor come. Thereafter, we will have a comprehensive digital solution in all aspects of the administration of temples,” he said.

Jayakumar added that even if the entire project cannot be completed at once, public-facing services and financial transactions will be digitised first. “The Board and all temples will go digital within a year. This has been taken up as a top priority,” he said.

PTI