Thieves target 3 shrines in Kaup, steal ancient idol, offering boxes

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Aug 30, 2013: It seems there is no end to the serial theft cases. This time the thieves have struck as many as three shrines in the district.

In the first case, they entered the ancient Mahatobar Siddhivinayaka Temple at Udyavar  after breaking open the main doors and decamped with an ancient idol and offering boxes in the wee hours of August 29, Friday. It is learnt, the copper  idol  of Lord Ganapathi was the Utsava Murthi of the temple and was nearly 1200 years old.

 

The thieves then targeted the Kalkuda Daivasthana  and the Ayyappa Swami Mandir where too donation boxes were looted.

Kaup circle inspector Shivanand Valekar and  Kaup inspector Archana K visited the spot. A dog squad and finger print experts have been pressed into service.

In a case of burglary in the past, thieves who had entered  the Siddivinayaka Temple though had escaped with the Utsava Murthi had abandoned the same in the forest.