3 missing idol found near temple in Sivaganga

The panchaloha idols of Lord Perumal, Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi were stolen from the temple on the midnight of June 17. The thieves gained entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and after breaking the padlock of the temple they made away with the idols. The idols were gifted to the temple 15 years ago.

Even as the Manamadurai police have registered a case and were searching for the culprits, the temple priest Srinivasan was stunned to see the stolen idols abandoned in front of the temple while he came to perform the routine pooja, this morning. He alerted the locals andpolice.

Senior police officials who visited the temple, also inspected the idols. Police suspect that the thieves might have abandoned the idols as they do not have any antique value. Meanwhile, the temple authorities said that the idols would be kept in the sanctum sanctorum after performing purificationrituals.