A $22-billion treasure discovered from secret vaults beneath a south Indian temple has triggered intensifying debates across the country about who owns the ancient stash.

Last week, court investigators opened five underground vaults at the little known 16th-century Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandarum, the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala and found the treasure.

The hoard of gold, gems, jewelry and artifacts instantly made the temple the richest known religious institution in India. It easily displaces the Vatican, estimated to own about $15 billion in wealth.

The discovery has revived questions about who should manage the wealth, much of which is believed to have been deposited at the temple by the royal family of the princely state of Travancore, which acceded to India when the country became independent in 1947.

Some of the vaults under the temple have not been opened for nearly 150 years, temple officials said.

India's Supreme Court on Friday decided to stay a decision to open the sixth and final vault until it is sure of the temple's security.