Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P.S. Prasanth provided information regarding the restoration work on gold-plated copper overlays at the Sabarimala temple. He explained that a Chennai-based firm, contracted for the restoration in 2019, had issued a 40-year warranty in the name of a private individual, Mr. Potty, instead of the TDB. Due to this warranty arrangement, the TDB is seeking Mr. Potty’s involvement for upcoming repairs in 2025, which concern the copper-gold covering of two stone sculptures at the temple’s sanctum sanctorum entrance. The TDB has summoned Mr. Potty to a Chennai workshop, and 12 gold-copper panels were transported there under high security for refurbishment. Prasanth stated that the TDB intends to transfer the warranty from Mr. Potty’s name to the board’s name, subject to High Court approval. He also noted that the removal of the gold coverings was video-recorded with independent government witnesses to ensure transparency. Following the 2019 restoration, the weight of gold in the panels reportedly increased by 10 grams, which the TDB subsequently donated.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tdb-president-ps-prasanth-sees-error-in-entrusting-sabarimala-artefacts-to-private-person-for-repair-in-2019/article70124339.ece