What Treasures Were Found As Banke Bihari Temple Vaults Reopen After 54 Years?

After 54 years, the treasure rooms (toshkhana) of Mathura's famous Banke Bihari temple were reopened, revealing gold and silver bars, gemstones, and precious coins. The reopening, conducted under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed panel, also uncovered utensils and artifacts, which will be documented and presented to the panel before the chambers are resealed.

Temple priest Dinesh Goswami told TOI that "one gold bar and three silver bars, each around 3-4 feet long and covered in gulal, were found in a long box inside the toshkhana." He added that red and green gemstones, old coins, and various metal utensils were also discovered during the exercise.

The rooms had remained sealed since 1971, and the decision to reopen them was made last month by a high-powered committee. Mathura DSP (Sadar) Sandeep Singh, who was present during the process, confirmed that the entire exercise was recorded on video, with both police officials and committee members witnessing the opening.

ADM (Finance and Revenue) Pankaj Kumar Verma said the recovered items would be submitted to the panel for review, after which the vaults have been sealed again for safekeeping.

During the first day of inspection on Saturday, only a few brass utensils and wooden artifacts were found. The toshkhana, built in 1864, is believed to house ancient treasures such as a peacock-shaped emerald necklace, a silver Sheshnag, a golden kalash embedded with navratnas, and royal offerings from the erstwhile princely states of Bharatpur, Karauli, and Gwalior. It is also said to contain 19th-century temple gifts, land deeds, and sealed letters.

The temple's treasury has a long and intriguing history, having witnessed two thefts during British rule - one in 1926 and another in 1936 - after which its doors were permanently locked. The vaults were last opened in 1971 to transfer jewellery to a bank.

Locals, however, expressed disappointment after being informed that none of the long-rumored "hidden treasures" were discovered. Panel member Shailendra Goswami remarked, "You won't find personal wealth there; whatever is found belongs to Thakurji. All cash and offerings are deposited in the bank."

(With inputs from TOI)