India, Oct. 27 -- At least two persons have been arrested so far by the Kerala high court-constituted special investigation team (SIT), which has been probing the misappropriation of gold from the gold-plated copper sheets covering the 'Dwarapalaka' sculptures and the side frames of the sanctum sanctorum at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa temple - a case that has escalated into a major political controversy in the state ahead of crucial local body polls.

History and significance of Sabarimala temple

The temple on the hill of Sabarimala, where the presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa, is situated within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, surrounded by 18 hills, and holds great significance among Hindus, particularly de...