Gang flees with 1000-year-old idol from Patteeswaram temple

The lord Anjaneyar idol was besides the presiding Durgaiamman Sannidhi in Dhenupureeswarar temple in Patteeswaram near Kumbakonam. The temple sources said that the idol was a one-foot-high and would be more than 1000 years old. Around 8 pm on Sunday, there was a heavy rush in the temple and the priest Ganesan went the Anjaneyar Sannidhi, however he was shocked to see that the Anjaneyar idol had gone missing. Immediately, he informed the police about the missing idol.

The police team rushed to the temple and inspected the CCTV footage and found that a gang of five persons were involved in the robbery.

According to the footage, five persons came to the temple by a car and walked to the Anjaneyar Sannidhi. They had been suspiciously standing there for a while and when no one was around three of the members covered the idol and placed it inside the bag and started to leave the place. When they reached outside the temple, the gang got into the car and left the place.

Based on the 30-minute footage, a complaint was lodged with the Patteeswaram police. A case has been registered and hunt is on for the gang.