Audit Unveils Financial Discrepancies and Lapses at Guruvayur Temple

Successive audits of the Guruvayur Devaswom revealed significant financial discrepancies, poor record-keeping, and inadequate verification of temple valuables. The 2019-20 and 2020-21 reports highlighted budget discrepancies and a lack of adherence to the Guruvayur Devaswom Rules. Regulatory shortcomings and financial imbalance were attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Successive government audits have uncovered a series of alarming financial irregularities at the renowned Guruvayur Temple in Kerala. The audits for 2019-20 and 2020-21 spotlighted major discrepancies between the reported income and expenditure, as well as inadequate verification of temple assets.

The reports criticized the Devaswom's lack of adherence to established regulations, notably the Guruvayur Devaswom Rules of 1980, which require annual verification of valuables. This verification has not been conducted since the rules were enacted, highlighting a significant lapse in management accountability.

Furthermore, financial reports indicated a troubling increase in expenditure during the pandemic, with costs tripling compared to income for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Auditors emphasized the need for reinforced regulatory and accounting systems to ensure transparency and effective administration.