Puri, Jan 29: An octo-alloy idol of Bateswar temple at Gadamrugasira village has been stolen late at night on Saturday.

A gang of looters has lifted the 45-kilogram metallic idols of Shiva-Parvati to peddle them in the foreign market.

Sources said the priest of the Bateswar temple opened the temple to perform the daily rituals. Meanwhile, he discovered that the idol of Shiva-Parvati had been stolen.

Following this, he informed the villagers. Later, the temple management committee lodged a complaint with the Chandanpur police.

Acting on it, the police has initiated an investigation in this connection.