Sabarimala Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru Hospitalised

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: A day after his arrest in connection with the gold theft at the Sabarimala temple, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru was shifted to the medical college hospital.

The 66-year-old chief priest had complained of feeling unwell at the Sub Jail where he was lodged on Friday, and the court had remanded him to 14 days’ judicial custody. He was first taken to the General Hospital, where doctors noted high blood pressure, and after conducting an ECG, referred him to the medical college hospital.

Meanwhile, SIT officials visited his residence in Chengannur around 2 p.m., reportedly examining documents and electronic devices as part of evidence collection. Thantri had been sent to the Thiruvananthapuram Special Sub Jail on Friday after the Kollam Vigilance Court remanded him until January 23.

He has been booked under Sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 466 (forgery of public records), 467 (forgery of valuable security), and 120B read with 34 (criminal conspiracy and common intention) of the IPC, along with Sections 13(1)(a) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).

When asked by the media about his arrest by the SIT and the serious allegations against him, Rajeevaru said he had no comments at this time. On Friday, the Tantri said he was being framed in the case.

Rajeevaru hails from the Thazhamon family of Chengannur, traditionally entrusted with the tantric rights at Sabarimala Temple. He served as Tantri during different periods—first in 1998-99 when businessman Vijay Mallya donated gold to the temple, and later in 2019 when the gold panel theft occurred.

Hereditary right:

The Thazhamon Madom of Chengannur holds exclusive tantric rights at Sabarimala, a privilege granted centuries ago, traditionally believed to be by Lord Parashurama himself. Only male heirs of the family can serve as Tantris, and if a branch has no male heirs, its tantric rights lapse.

Members are trained from a young age in tantric rituals, Vedic traditions, and temple customs to prepare for priestly duties. Currently, these rights are shared between the families of Kandararu Rajeevaru and Kandararu Mohanaru. Mohanaru’s son, Mahesh Mohanaru, is performing rituals in rotation.

Mahesh Mohanaru is currently performing rituals at the Sabarimala temple during the ongoing Makaravilakku festival season, which began on December 30, 2025, and will conclude on January 14.

The SIT arrested Tantri Rajeevaru on Friday, citing close association with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty. The probe officials allege that Rajeevaru was aware of the replating of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) plates and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) doorframe panels, which were removed from the temple in 2019 in violation of ritual norms.

According to the SIT report, the Tantri had tacitly permitted Potty to take the gold-clad plates out of the temple, despite knowing that the Travancore Devaswom Board had not secured any written authorisation for the work.

Hence, Rajeevaru became the 11th person to be taken into custody in connection with the gold theft case.

The SIT was constituted by the Kerala High Court, which is directly monitoring the progress of the investigation.