It's an adventure story worthy of a movie. The only thing that's missing is Indiana Jones.
In Thiruvananthapuram India, locked vaults inside a 16th-century Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple hold a plethora of riches ranging from gold coins, trinkets, and golden statues, to diamonds and a surplus of precious stone jewels.
Some of the treasure is over 400 years old, including 2,205 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of gold coins, jewel encrusted crowns, solid gold ropes (including 15-feet-long gold necklaces), and a golden statue depicting the supreme Hindu god Vishnu, cloaked in abundance with emeralds and other precious gems. Another solid-gold statue stands a stunning 18-feet high, weighing in at a colossal 77 pounds (35 kilograms) and beautifully adorned with elegant silver and brass platters.
Vishnu
The ancient royal family of Travancore left the temple to their descendants. Experts and speculators believe that the rulers of the royal family donated a large portion of their assets to the temple. Further speculation suggests that, perhaps, religious worshipers paid tribute and contributed to the loot while making stops at the temple along global trade route journeys.
Apparently, the hidden treasure was well documented in public records, and had been locked up and untouched for about 150 years. Nonetheless, when the team of seven officials did finally open the vaults, they were quite shocked at the contents in the faults, especially the astonishing value of those contents.
Hundreds of armed police were stationed to guard the temple, as metal detectors were placed at the entrance as Saturday's news reports revealed the findings.
But now that the treasure has been found, who is to be rewarded? That question is where a line of discrepancy has been drawn...
Like a great work of fiction, now comes the epic battle for the precious treasure. The only difference is, the good vs. evil elements aren't so clear-cut.
In this real life saga, Hindu religious leaders insist the fortune be invested into the temple while many others say it should be used for "public good", as millions of Indians suffer lives in poverty.
The battle quickly heated as a mob attacked the house of a man who called for the wealth to be distributed to various public purposes.
State government leaders have announced every intention of leaving the fortune right where it rests; within the temple. The government has no qualms about providing permanent security to protect temple's treasure.
temple
Meanwhile, one industry is sure to bring in money to surrounding areas near Thiruvananthapuram, India-- tourism. With news of the treasure-filled-temple, curious crowds of visitors are slowly flocking to town as as they seek adventure, history, and hidden treasure.
And you thought it's been only today's political and religious leaders who have been scamming the public. But you never know, leadership may have been so great in those days that a grateful public could make generous contributions.