91-year-old Marthanda Varma was admitted in a private hospital here few days ago. He was successor of the last Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore Chithira Tirumal Balarama Varma.u00a0

Marthanda Varma was patron of several religious and cultural institutions, including the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, whose fame soared in recent times following the inventory of the priceless treasures locked up in its vaults.