Puri, Jan 27: Thieves broke into the Bali Kapileswar Temple in Puri and stole the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, along with the temple's donation box, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The theft was discovered early Tuesday morning when the temple's priests opened the sanctum to begin their rituals, only to find the idols missing. Devotees, horrified by the findings, quickly informed local residents, who in turn alerted the police. Officers from Sadar Police Station were dispatched to the temple to investigate the incident.
Police teams are now reviewing CCTV footage from the area surrounding the temple in an effort to track down the culprits and determine their escape route. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation will continue until the suspects are apprehended.
The incident has caused panic in the locality, leaving devotees deeply saddened by the loss. Many residents are demanding swift action from authorities and the implementation of stronger security measures at temples. In response, officials have assured that efforts to locate the criminals are underway.
The Bali Kapileswar Temple is an important cultural and spiritual landmark in Puri, and the theft has raised serious concerns about the rising number of temple thefts in Odisha. Devotees are urging the police to increase patrolling around religious sites and strengthen security to prevent such incidents in the future.
