Panchaloha idol and offertory box stolen

Mangalore Today News Network

Shirva, Jan 8: An offering box and the image of the procession deity were stolen from Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple in Padubelle, Shirva on Tuesday night. 

A panchaloha idol, about 10 - 12 inches in height, which was normally preserved within the sanctum sanctorum, and the offertory box, which was usually kept at the foot of the teertha mantapa were stolen. The total value of the stolen items is estimated to be around Rs 20,000. 

The temple priest, Subramanya Acharya, locked the temple as usual on Tuesday night and went home. He came to know of the robbery the next morning when he opened the temple. 

The thieves had used duplicate keys to open the main door of the temple and had broken open the door of the sanctum sanctorum with the help of a rod. 

The place was thoroughly investigated with the help of sniffer dogs and fingerprint experts. B Cheluvaraj of Kaup, retired circle inspector, visited the temple. 

A case has been registered at the Shirva Police Station; and currently, the police are investigating the case.