Authors
Vijayalakshmi leads our Tamil team. She’s worked in the media industry for more than eight years. This includes her work as a senior correspondent for Times Now before joining Newschecker. She turned to fact-checking to create awareness around misinformation through her writing.
Sabloo Thomas has worked as a special correspondent with the Deccan Chronicle from 2011 to December 2019. Post-Deccan Chronicle, he freelanced for various websites and worked in the capacity of a translator as well (English to Malayalam and Malayalam to English). He’s also worked with the New Indian Express as a reporter, senior reporter, and principal correspondent. He joined Express in 2001.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim: 3000 year old idol of Anantapadmanabhaswamy.
Fact: The idol in the viral video is made by Shivanarayana Jewellery.
A video showcasing a statue of AnantaPadmanabhaswamy is being widely shared across social media platforms claiming that it depicts a 3000-year-old Anantapadmanabhaswamy statue made of 7,800 kg pure gold and 7,80,000 diamonds measuring up to 780 carats.
“The 3000-year-old Ananthapadmanabhaswamy statue, made of 7800 kg of pure gold, 7,80,000 diamonds and 780 carats of diamonds, is said to be over 3000 years old. It is said that its current value is several thousand lakh crores and that the Sadhapatis and modern experts said that its price could not be estimated,” the description of the video says.
“It is known that the team of experts invited from France were amazed and returned with incalculable amounts. It must have been a great privilege to see this with our own eyes. Those who cannot go in person can see it through this video and get the benefit. How is it that when we cannot see Nandal Swami, God, we worship him with a picture or an idol? Location of temple Trivnathanpuram,Kerala India,” reads the description of the video.
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Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral clip led us to an Instagram post by karthiknagraj, dated August 6, 2023 carrying the viral video. The description says, “Shri Ananth Padmanabhaswamy Jewel measures 8 inches in height and an astounding 18 inches in length. Handcrafted by 32 people working 16 hours everyday for 2 months, this paragon piece weighs an astounding 2.8 kg.”
“Adorned with around 75,000 high-quality diamonds, totalling an astounding 500 carats, Sri Anantapadmanabhaswamy is a sight to behold. Each diamond has been thoughtfully sourced, masterfully polished, skilfully set. It boasts the finest Zambian emeralds and natural Burmese rubies that fabricate a spectacular, mesmerising look perpetuating divine elegance,” the post adds.
“This groundbreaking creation, Sri Ananta padmanabhaswamy, is set to achieve a new world record bringing an astonishing 9 Guinness World Records™ Titles,” the description further adds.
Instagram post from Karthik Nagraj
Newschecker then ran a keyword search which led us to news reports saying that Shiv Narayan Jewellery, from Hyderabad, made the statue in honor of B Govindan, Chairman of Kerala Bhima Jewellery.
We also learned that this video was taken when the idol was displayed at the India International Jewellery Show in 2023. The video of this was posted on the social media page of Shivanarayana Jewellery.
Instagram post from shivnarayanjewellers
This video was also featured in an interview given by Tushar Aggarwal, Managing Director of Shiv Narayan Jewellery. The interview also says that a viral idol with the same design was unveiled at IIJS 2023.
YouTube Video from The Diamond Talk
Multiple other outlets such as this, this and this have also carried reports on this idol.
Conclusion
The statue of Anantha Padmanabhaswamy shown in the viral video is not 3000 year old, and was made by Shiv Narayana Jewellery, from Hyderabad in honor of B Govindan, Chairman of Kerala Bhima Jewellery.
Result: False
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(This post was first fact-checked by our Tamil fact-check team. This can be read here.)
Sources
Instagram post from Karthik Nagraj, Dated August 06, 2023
YouTube Video from The Diamond Talk by Renu Choudhary, Dated August 10, 2023
Instagram post from shivnarayanjewellers, Dated August 04, 2023
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Authors
Vijayalakshmi leads our Tamil team. She’s worked in the media industry for more than eight years. This includes her work as a senior correspondent for Times Now before joining Newschecker. She turned to fact-checking to create awareness around misinformation through her writing.
Sabloo Thomas has worked as a special correspondent with the Deccan Chronicle from 2011 to December 2019. Post-Deccan Chronicle, he freelanced for various websites and worked in the capacity of a translator as well (English to Malayalam and Malayalam to English). He’s also worked with the New Indian Express as a reporter, senior reporter, and principal correspondent. He joined Express in 2001.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
