Deep within Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala lies Vault B, a chamber rumored to contain the greatest treasure history has ever known. Only problem? Its door is sealed, and no one dares open it.
For a long time now, the temple management authorities had been aware of the existence of six different vaults, designated in official documents by a single letter, from A to F. Two additional chambers, Vault G and H, have been discovered since. Four of the vaults, C, D, E, and F, were routinely opened every year by the temple priests in order to take out items for use in special ceremonies, which were deposited back afterward.
And this is where legend meets fact. When the Supreme Court of India sent an official committee to open vault A, they discovered a wealth of treasure valued in the billions. But still the other vaults remain closed after centuries, and no one can ascertain what riches might lie behind.
Supposedly, the largest treasure could be hidden in Vault B. And the Supreme Court wanted to know. But when the special committee managed to open the metal-grille door that secured the entrance, they found a big and sturdy wooden portal behind it. So they opened that one too. And then they found a third door, this one made of iron, securely jammed and hard to budge. The committee discussed forcing their way in, but in the end decided not to. After all, this is a sacred temple, and terrible rumors warn against any such entry.
But before the locksmith could arrive, the royal family filed an injunction against opening Vault B—an injunction that still stands today. As per the law, no one can open that door for now, so its contents shall remain a mystery for a while still. We can only imagine: a vault whose walls are made of gold. Golden weapons and thrones encrusted with thousands of invaluable gems. Statues made of solid gold and beautiful craftsmanship lying on mounts of diamonds and emeralds far too numerous to catch in a single glimpse. Or so the legend goes.