The Thiruvananthapuram Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is making headlines for the past one week on account of the vast treasure found in its secret vaults. It is natural for everyone to get curious about the temple and its invaluable treasure which was lying unknown to the world all these days. Answers for some of the frequently asked questions about the temple and its treasure are given here.

Who owns the temple riches?
The presiding deity Padmanabha Swamy. In 1750, Travancore ruler Marthanda Varma donated all the kingdom's wealth to the deity.

How many vaults are there in the temple?
Over the last week, a seven-member team has opened up five of the six secret vaults. The last one is being investigated now. It has not been opened.

What is the worth of the treasure trove?
Treasure worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore found so far.

Why the inventory check?
The search on the vaults was initiated after a lawyer petitioned the Supreme Court to order a government take over of the temple as it did not have enough security.

Did the royals know of the temple riches?
The existence of the temple's staggering wealth was always known. The 1941 Pradhanapetta (important) Mathilakom Records compiled by Malayalam poet Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer mentions it. The 12-volume Kottaram (Palace) manual also talks of it. Records talk of sacred cellars from which treasure is now being dug out.

Did the royals ever dip into the treasure trove?
Never. The royals call themselves Padmanabha Dasa (servants of Lord Padmanabha) and are pledge-bound never to take even a penny from the Lord's wealth. Royal family members who visit the shrine wipe off the sand from their feet when they leave the shrine. Family members don't take home even a speck of sand belonging to Padmanabha!

Who manages the shrine now?
Though Travancore merged with the Indian Union in 1949, the management of the temple remains with royal family.

What were the boundaries of the erstwhile Travancore state?
It extended from Kanyakumari in present-day Tamil Nadu to Aluva (in Ernakulam) in the north. Padmanabhapuram (now in Tamil Nadu) was the first capital, but it was shifted to to Thiruvananthapuram subsequently.