‘Use temple wealth to set up centre of learning'

P. Parameswaran, Director, Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram, speaking at a seminar organised by the Kendram on 'Sree Padmanabhswamy Temple -controveries and irrefutable facts' in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. Photo: C. Ratheesh Kuma

In keeping with the tradition of the ruling family of erstwhile Travancore and of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in preserving and perpetuating the ‘Sanatana Dharmam', a portion of the assets found in the temple could be used to institute a university of international standards to propagate that ‘dharmam.'

This institution could be named ‘Sanathana Dharma Viswa Vidyapeedom', director of Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram P. Parameswaran said here on Thursday. He was speaking at a discussion on the ‘Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Unnecessary Controversies and Undeniable Truths' at the Kendram.

The temple has a history of supporting centres of learning.

The ‘Kanthalloor Sala', also known as the Nalanda of the south, was supported in its activities by the temple.

The temple and its recently discovered assets belong to Padmanabhaswamy. The rulers of Travancore had guarded these assets as trustees. As such, the ruling family should be an integral part of any future arrangement pertaining to the management of the temple.

The assets of the temple could also be used for the uplift of those sections of Hindu society that remain downtrodden, he added.

In his address, noted historian M.G.S. Narayanan said the riches found in the temple is the cumulative offerings of devotees down the ages. These riches should be kept in the temple itself. In fact, these riches may even catalyse a sense of unity in Hindu society. Former Union Minister O. Ragagopal pointed out that a consensus has emerged in Kerala society regarding the riches found in the temple.

Across political divides, the idea that these riches belong to the Temple itself and not to the government or even to society at large has found acceptance, he added.