Patna: Three Ashtadhatu idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman, stolen from a temple in Patna district in March, have been recovered after being abandoned near a village border, police said.
The idols, taken from the Ram-Janaki temple in Chhata village under Masaurhi block, were found on Monday after an unidentified person left them near the boundary of Lakhanour-Bedauli and Shahabad panchayats before fleeing.
Idols Missing Since March
According to police, the theft took place on the night of March 16 at the Kallu Thakurwadi Ram-Janaki temple in Chhata village. Thieves allegedly broke the lock of the sanctum and removed three idols made of Ashtadhatu, an alloy of eight metals.
The idols, weighing about 45kg in total, also had silver crowns. The theft had triggered concern across the village, particularly as it took place shortly before the Hindu festival of Ram Navami.
Villagers Identify And Return Idols
Residents spotted the abandoned idols and identified them as those taken from the temple. A crowd gathered at the site and carried them back to the temple premises.
The return prompted celebrations in the village, with residents organising drum processions and chanting religious slogans. The temple had remained without the original idols for nearly three months.
Police Cite Investigation Pressure
Vivek Bharti, station house officer of Masaurhi police station, said repeated raids had been carried out since the theft was reported.
He said the idols were likely abandoned due to sustained police pressure on those involved. An FIR had been registered against unidentified persons based on a complaint filed by temple committee secretary Munadev Singh.
Historical Significance
Temple committee members said the Kallu Thakurwadi was established in 1935 and the recovered idols are believed to be more than 100 years old.
Residents said the idols carried strong religious and cultural significance for the village, and their disappearance had disrupted regular worship at the temple.
Reinstallation Planned
Ravi Prakash, the local panchayat head, said preparations had begun for the formal reinstallation of the idols.
Temple committee president Akhilesh Kumar Singh said a Pran-Pratishtha ceremony would be held in the coming days, following Vedic rituals, before regular worship resumes.
