Temple treasures

Now that the Padmanabhaswamy temple has been found to be sitting on a sea of riches, it may be a good time to recollect that in the Orient snakes and dragons have always been regarded as guardians of treasure. The Vishnu idol in the temple rests on Ananta, the serpent and this temple was perhaps built on an ancient snake worship site. Also snakes and dragons must have played a huge role in keeping looters at bay for then, as now, fear is the best way to prevent crime.