A 66-year-old farmer from Kilimanoor in Kerala's Idiki district has had an incredible year, to say the least. Not only did he win ₹6 crore in the lottery, but he also used the money to buy land where he later unearthed a treasure trove of ancient coins while plowing his new field.
The farmer, B. Ratnakaram Pillai, had won the Christmas lottery in 2019. Instead of spending the money on a lavish lifestyle, Pillai chose to follow his passion for vegetable farming and used the lottery winnings to purchase some land.
While plowing his new field, Pillai made an unexpected discovery—a treasure containing 2,595 ancient coins in a clay pot weighing over 20 kg.
According to experts from the Indian Bank Note Museum in Mumbai, these coins belong to the era of the Travancore Maharajas and are over a hundred years old.
The coins are a significant historical artifact, offering a glimpse into the region's rich past. According to the Indian Treasure Trove Act of 1878, such assets are considered government property.
Being a law-abiding citizen, Pillai dutifully handed over the treasure to the authorities on Monday under the Kerala Treasure Trove Act of 1968 for further historical and cultural examination.
People have different beliefs about found treasures. It's commonly said that one should divide the treasure into three parts: one for God, one for social service, and one to keep. So, even when a treasure is found, some hesitate to use it. But legally, no one can keep it; it's a crime.
If we are to believe astrology, not everyone finds treasure; only those who are destined to do so. There are also said to be some signs seen beforehand. Recently, in Chikkamagaluru, a deep pit was dug in search of treasure, and a cobra fell into it. The video went viral on social media. It's often said that serpents are the guardians of treasures. If we are not the rightful heirs, the serpent won't let us go near the treasure.
