An Indian police officer stands guard outside the the 16th-century Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum, the capital of the southern state of Kerala, India today. A vast treasure trove of gold coins, jewels and precious stones unearthed at the lightly guarded Hindu temple in India was expected to grow further in value Monday as the last two secret vaults sealed for nearly 150 years are opened. The government has increased security since the treasure’s discovery in recent days, which has instantly turned the temple into one of the wealthiest religious institutions in the country. (AP Photo)By NIRMALA GEORGE
Associated Press
NEW DELHI – Statues of gods and goddesses made of solid gold and studded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Crowns and necklaces. Gold and silver coins in such numbers, they were weighed by the sackful, rather than counted. And barely any security, save guards who controlled crowds at the 16th-century Hindu temple that had sealed away the treasures.
The vast treasure trove revealed in recent days instantly turned the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple into one of the wealthiest religious institutions in India. And its value was expected to grow.
The first four vaults inventoried at the temple in Trivandrum, the capital of the southern state of Kerala, held treasures that unofficial estimates peg at $22 billion. The last two secret vaults sealed for nearly 150 years were set for inspection after being opened Monday.