Post by malati on Jul 6, 2011 15:42:33 GMT -6
From NY Times 04/7/2011
MUMBAI, India — A court-ordered search of vaults beneath a south Indian temple has unearthed gold, jewels and statues worth an estimated $22 billion, government officials said Monday.
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Associated Press
The Indian government sent two dozen police officers to a previously unguarded shrine for round-the-clock security after jewels were discovered.
The treasure trove, at the 16th century Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, is widely believed to be the largest find of its kind in India, catching officials in the state of Kerala by surprise and forcing the government to send two dozen police officers to the previously unguarded shrine for round-the-clock security.
The discovery has also revived questions about who should manage the wealth, much of which is believed to have been deposited at the temple by the royal family of the princely state of Travancore, which acceded to India when the country became independent in 1947. Some of the vaults under the temple have not been opened for nearly 150 years, temple officials have said.
The complete story here. www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/world/asia/05india.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha22
MUMBAI, India — A court-ordered search of vaults beneath a south Indian temple has unearthed gold, jewels and statues worth an estimated $22 billion, government officials said Monday.
Enlarge This Image
Associated Press
The Indian government sent two dozen police officers to a previously unguarded shrine for round-the-clock security after jewels were discovered.
The treasure trove, at the 16th century Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, is widely believed to be the largest find of its kind in India, catching officials in the state of Kerala by surprise and forcing the government to send two dozen police officers to the previously unguarded shrine for round-the-clock security.
The discovery has also revived questions about who should manage the wealth, much of which is believed to have been deposited at the temple by the royal family of the princely state of Travancore, which acceded to India when the country became independent in 1947. Some of the vaults under the temple have not been opened for nearly 150 years, temple officials have said.
The complete story here. www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/world/asia/05india.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha22