10 wooden idols go missing from temple in Mamallapuram

CHENNAI: As many as 10 wooden idols have reportedly gone missing from a chariot at the famous Sthalasayana Perumal temple in Mamallapuram.
The idols, up to7 feetin height and together worth several lakh rupees, were recently detached from the chariot for renovation, said a few devotees.


The teakwood idols in the chariot, which is thought to be more than 100 years old, may have been smuggled out and sold to private collectors, they said.

Some devoteeseven allege that a few of the temple officials may have been involved in thetheftof theidolsof dwarapala (guardian), a horse and yaazhi-like creature among others.

A complaint has been lodged with the state Hindu Religious &Charitable; Endowments (HR&CE;) department after the temple authorities allegedly didn’t show much interest in pursuing the matter. A few devotees also alleged that a bronze bell, weighing five kilograms, is also missing from the campus which is equipped with CCTV cameras.

Officials of the HR&CE; department, who alsosuspect the idols may have been smuggled to foreign countries, have forwarded the complaint to the idol wing police.

The BJP and Hindu Munnai, through their local representatives, have urged the top officials of the HR&CE; department to probe the matter and initiate action against the temple authorities who are suspectedtobebehind the theft of the idols.