Unnikrishnan Potty, Sabarimala: Profile, Bio, Caste, Wife and Family

Early Life and Background

Unnikrishnan Potty is a Malayali originally from Kerala, now reportedly based in Bengaluru. He came into the limelight more recently due to his involvement in temple affairs at Sabarimala. His background before that is less documented, but various media reports, official scrutiny, and his own statements shed light on how he rose to prominence.

Some details about his early life and education:

It is known that he spent some of his formative years in Kerala before relocating (or spending significant time) in Karnataka (Bengaluru).
According to some profiles, he once served as a priest at the Sri Dharma Shastra Ayyappa Temple in Srirampuram, Bengaluru. (Kerala Kaumudi)
His connections with the Kerala devotional and temple-patronage circles appear to have grown over the past decade, particularly in Sabarimala affairs. (Kerala Kaumudi)

However, it is not clear what his formal education is or any prior professional career outside devotional and temple-related sponsorships. His name is not strongly linked to mainstream business or political profiles (unlike many public figures), so much of his public image is built around his temple interventions and sponsorships.

Entry into Sabarimala Affairs & Temple Sponsorship

Potty’s prominence largely stems from his role as a sponsor in temple renovation and gold-plating projects, especially at Sabarimala in Kerala. Over recent years, he has been associated with arrangements of temple offerings, funding, and restoration works. Media accounts suggest the following trajectory:

Assistant Role & Early Involvement
Some reports claim he started his involvement with Sabarimala about ten years ago as an assistant to a person identified as “Keezh Shanti.” Through that role, he built relationships with temple personnel, established ties with affluent devotees, and began to gain influence in temple matters. (Kerala Kaumudi)
Building Networks & Devotee Connections
Over time, he is said to have nurtured relationships with industrialist devotees, especially from outside Kerala, facilitating “special darshan” privileges, arranging Padi Pooja (a ritual in Sabarimala) for wealthier devotees, and intervening in ritualistic decisions. (Kerala Kaumudi)
Major Sponsorship: Gold-Plating Works (2019 and after)
The most consequential activity attributed to him is the sponsorship of gold-plating work on the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures at Sabarimala. In around 2019, Potty is reported to have arranged for gold-clad copper plates and pedestals to be removed from the temple and taken to Chennai for re-plating. (Asianet Newsable)

This act stirred controversy because, according to critics and court documents, the removal may have violated Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) norms: repairs and work are supposed to be done within the temple premises unless exceptional permission is granted. (The Times of India)

Over time, allegations emerged that while he claimed to sponsor the work (and raise funds from devotees), there were discrepancies in weight (i.e. some gold was “missing” or not returned), lapses in documentation, and a lack of transparency in accounting. (The Times of India)
Further Interventions & Ritual Changes
In addition to physical restoration, Potty is credited (or blamed) for introducing new offerings or ritual formats at Sabarimala, such as Ashtabhishekam (a ritual offering), augmenting traditional ones like Neyyabhishekam and Pushpabhishekam. (Kerala Kaumudi)

There are also reports that he intervenes in routine temple rituals (for example, Padi Pooja scheduling), exerts “complete authority” in temple affairs, and selectively provides privileges to prominent donors, raising concerns about transparency and the sanctity of temple governance. (Kerala Kaumudi)

Recent Controversies & Legal Scrutiny

In recent months (2025), Potty’s role in the Sabarimala gold and pedestal controversy has become a matter of public, political, and legal scrutiny. Here’s a detailed look at the major developments:

Missing Pedestal / Peedam Allegation

In September 2025, Potty publicly alleged that a gold-plated pedestal (peedam) he had donated was missing from the temple’s custody during a High Court-ordered audit of the gold plating project. (Asianet Newsable)
The controversy deepened when the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) vigilance wing recovered the missing pedestal from the home of one of Potty’s relatives in Venjaramoodu (suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram). (The News Minute)
Kerala Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan and TDB officials claimed that the missing allegation could have been staged, accusing Potty of hiding the item to frame the Board or to embarrass the administration. (@mathrubhumi)
Potty, in turn, denied wrongdoing, claiming he was unaware the pedestal was kept by a worker (Vasudevan) and later moved it to his relative’s house. He has demanded a vigilance probe and said he will cooperate if summoned. (@mathrubhumi)
The TDB has announced plans to approach the High Court to seek a probe into Potty’s role. (The New Indian Express)

Gold Discrepancies & Accountability

Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan has publicly accused Potty (and the Devaswom Board) of fraud and theft, demanding answers on how gold offerings raised from devotees disappeared or were misappropriated. (The Times of India)
The High Court has questioned the TDB on how it entrusted precious gold plates to a private individual without fully verifying his credentials or authority. The court asked: “Who is Unnikrishnan Potti? How can the Board give gold plates to someone unknown?” (@mathrubhumi)
Among the anomalies noted:
1. The weight of the gold-clad copper plates reportedly decreased (i.e., some grams of gold did not return). (The Times of India)
2. The removal of the statues and plates from temple premises (to Chennai) without prior judicial approval, which may violate TDB norms. (The Times of India)
3. Lapses in documentation, recording, oversight of the process, chain of custody, and auditing. (The Times of India)

Political and Public Fallout

The controversy has become a political flashpoint in Kerala, with rival parties and interest groups pressing for deeper investigations and accountability. (The Times of India)
Some media have suggested that Potty’s positioning and dramatic allegations could be an attempt to undermine the credibility of recent temple events such as the Global Ayyappa Sangamam organized by the Kerala government. (The New Indian Express)
Potty reportedly returned to Kerala (from Bengaluru) amidst the furor, refused to speak at length to the media, but pledged to present his version before due authorities. (@mathrubhumi)
The TDB has admitted there were procedural lapses, especially relating to the pedestal issue in 2019, but contends that overall gold assets are documented, stored safely, and accounted for. (The Times of India)

As of this writing, investigations are ongoing, and the final judicial or administrative outcomes are not yet settled.

Personal Traits, Public Image & Influence

Potty’s public persona is tied to being a devotional sponsor, a facilitator in temple matters, and a patron to wealthy devotees. Key characteristics often associated with him in media narratives:

He is seen as someone who bridges devotees, temple authorities, and ritual processes, sometimes wielding influence over temple decisions. (Kerala Kaumudi)
He offers premium access or “special darshan” arrangements to donors, which draws criticism that he is commercializing religious access. (Kerala Kaumudi)
Some allege that he controls or influences ritual scheduling (e.g. Padi Pooja) and experiment in introducing new rituals (Ashtabhishekam) to expand his role. (Kerala Kaumudi)
Media reports call his authority in temple affairs “complete” — i.e. that few decisions occur without his tacit approval. (Kerala Kaumudi)
At the same time, he has supporters who perceive his role as beneficial, enabling better funding for temple upkeep, and bridging the gap between devotees from outside and temple management.

Because much of his influence is informal or behind the scenes, verifying his exact power structure is difficult. His rise seems rooted in devout patronage, connections, and leveraging the trust of the temple community.

Challenges & Critiques

Potty’s rise and role have drawn sustained criticism and skeptical scrutiny:

Transparency & Accountability
Critics question the lack of public accounting for funds raised in the name of gold plating, control over temple access, and the private nature of his relationships with temple officials.
Conflict of Interest
Acting both as donor and as influencer of ritual decisions may blur lines of conflict — i.e., whether he exerts undue influence in return for his sponsorship.
Sanctity of Temple Protocols
Traditional temple governance expects strict oversight, recording, and ritual sanctity. Critics warn that Potty’s interventions may disrupt standard protocols. (Kerala Kaumudi)
Legal Risks
If investigations find fraud, misappropriation, or violation of temple board norms, Potty could face legal or civil liabilities. The High Court has already flagged issues in giving gold plates to an “unknown” sponsor. (@mathrubhumi)
Public Perception & Media Pressure
The revelations and media attention have made Potty a controversial public figure — somewhat polarizing — which may hamper his standing among devout communities and temple stakeholders.

Recent Developments (as of late 2025)

The TDB, under pressure, will petition the High Court for a deeper probe into Potty’s role in the missing pedestal and gold plight controversies. (The New Indian Express)
Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan has intensified his calls for accountability, alleging clear fraud and theft. (The Times of India)
The Kerala High Court has demanded explanations from TDB regarding how someone like Potty was entrusted with expensive temple assets. (@mathrubhumi)
The media continues to examine Potty’s networks, his fundraising practices across states, and how temple finances were handled pre- and post-sponsorship. (Deccan Herald)

It remains to be seen whether the investigations will result in exoneration, sanctions, or structural reforms in how temple sponsorships and oversight are handled.

Top Interesting Facts About Unnikrishnan Potty

Devotee Bridges
He is known to have cultivated relationships with affluent devotees from outside Kerala, especially from Bengaluru, thus expanding his reach beyond local temple circles. (Kerala Kaumudi)
New Ritual Introduction
Potty is credited (or blamed) for introducing Ashtabhishekam as a new ritual offering in Sabarimala, in addition to the traditional Neyyabhishekam and Pushpabhishekam. (Kerala Kaumudi)
Dual Role
At times, he acts both as donor (sponsor) and de facto manager, making him a hybrid figure — neither pure devotee nor pure administrator.
Recovered Pedestal
The missing pedestal he claimed was lost was recovered from his relative’s home, making the controversy even more dramatic. (The News Minute)
Media Silence
Despite the attention, Potty tends to keep a low media profile, refusing large interviews, and usually limiting statements to legal or ritual contexts. (@mathrubhumi)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who exactly is Unnikrishnan Potty?
A1: He is a Malayali – reportedly living in Bengaluru – known today as a temple sponsor, especially associated with the Sabarimala restoration and gold-plating work. His earlier life, education, or mainstream business identity is not widely documented.

Q2: What is his involvement in the Sabarimala gold project?
A2: Potty claims to have sponsored the gold-plating of Dwarapalaka sculptures by arranging gold-clad copper plates and pedestals and overseeing their removal and rework (in Chennai) starting around 2019. (Asianet Newsable)

Q3: What controversies has he been linked with?
A3: The major controversies include:

The allegation that gold was lost or misappropriated during the plating process (weight discrepancies). (The Times of India)
The claim that a gold pedestal he donated went missing and was later found hidden in a relative’s house. (The News Minute)
Criticism from political leaders accusing fraud, theft, and misuse of devotees’ offerings. (The Times of India)
Allegations by temple / government authorities that his missing-pedestal claim may have been staged. (@mathrubhumi)

Q4: Is he legally charged or convicted?
A4: As of now, there is no public record of conviction. He is under investigation and legal scrutiny, and courts (High Court) have already asked pointed questions about the TDB’s handling of gold-plating and the role of Potty. (@mathrubhumi)

Q5: Why was the removal of temple idols/panels to Chennai controversial?
A5: According to critics and court records, temple norms require that repair and restoration be done within the temple premises (Sannidhanam) unless special permission is granted, to maintain sanctity and accountability. The removal to an external location without clear judicial sanction is deemed irregular. (The Times of India)

Q6: What might happen going forward?
A6: The likely paths include a detailed probe by a competent agency, court directions for greater transparency, possible administrative or legal penalties if evidence of wrongdoing is found, and potential reforms in how temple sponsorship and oversight are handled in Kerala.

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