Rs 1 Cr gold crown of Gudivada temple allegedly pawned

The incident has triggered widespread outrage among devotees and prompted a high-level inquiry by the Endowments Department

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

A major controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after a gold crown reportedly worth nearly ₹1 crore went missing from the famous Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Gudivada of Krishna district and was allegedly pledged illegally. The incident has triggered widespread outrage among devotees and prompted a high-level inquiry by the Endowments Department.

Acting swiftly after receiving information about the alleged illegal pledge, Endowments Department Assistant Commissioner Lalitha rushed to the temple and initiated a detailed investigation. She questioned temple priests and ordered the opening of the trust office locks to seize records related to temple assets and management transactions. However, despite prior intimation, none of the 31 trust board members reportedly appeared before the officials, drawing sharp displeasure from Lalitha over their evasive responses and lack of cooperation.

As part of the probe, the Assistant Commissioner also met family members of the donor who had originally donated the gold crown to the temple and collected detailed information regarding the offering. Officials stated that since the present temple committee is not directly under the administrative control of the Endowments Department, immediate punitive action could not be initiated. Lalitha clarified that further steps would be taken only after a comprehensive examination of all records. She remained at the temple premises to intensify the inquiry and prepare a preliminary report for higher authorities.

Meanwhile, the jeweller who allegedly accepted the crown as collateral is reportedly absconding. Sources said he informed the trust board that he would return only after the pledged amount was repaid to his account.

During the ongoing investigation, NTR Stadium Committee Vice-Chairman Yelavarthi Srinivasa Rao visited the temple and strongly condemned the trust board’s conduct, warning of large-scale protests if the crown was not restored to the deity immediately.