Ancient Ashtadhatu Idols Worth Rs 1 Crore Stolen from Samastipur Temple
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the religious community, four ancient idols of Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita and Laddu Gopal were stolen from the historic Ram Janaki Thakurwadi in Samastipur district. The idols, crafted from precious ashtadhatu (eight metals) and estimated to be worth approximately Rs 1 crore, disappeared under mysterious circumstances on Sunday night.
Discovery of the Theft
The theft came to light on Monday morning when devotees arrived at the temple to offer their daily prayers. According to police reports, Anita Devi of Devdha village reached the Thakurwadi around 5am with other women devotees. To their horror, they found the sanctum sanctorum gate wide open and the four sacred idols missing from their designated places.
The devotees immediately alerted Mahant Ram Sudhari Mishra, also known as Tribhuvan Das, who was sleeping in a nearby room on the temple premises. The Mahant confirmed the disappearance of the idols and promptly informed both villagers and local authorities about the devastating loss.
Temple Details and Historical Significance
The temple, locally known as Chhoti Thakurwadi, is situated in Devdha village under the jurisdiction of Hasanpur police station. What makes this theft particularly distressing is the historical and cultural value of the stolen artifacts. The idols, weighing approximately 40 kilograms in total, are believed to date back to the 14th century, representing centuries of religious heritage and devotion.
Mahant Tribhuvandas had been performing puja at this sacred site since 2010, maintaining the temple's daily rituals and spiritual activities. The temple is located near the old pond of Devdha village, a setting that has witnessed generations of worship and community gatherings.
Police Investigation and Forensic Analysis
Upon receiving information about the incident, Hasanpur Station House Officer Akmal Khurshid rushed to the spot with a police team and initiated a thorough investigation. Forensic experts were called to the scene to collect evidence and conduct a scientific probe that might reveal clues about the perpetrators.
Rosera Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sanjay Sinha provided crucial details about the theft. "Unidentified thieves entered the Ram Janki Thakurbari late at night," he stated. "They broke the temple lock and stole the ashtadhatu idols of Ram, Janki, Lakshman, and Laddu Gopal that were installed in the sanctum sanctorum." Fortunately, the idol of Hanuman Ji remained untouched and safe within the temple.
Mysterious Circumstances and Temple Activities
What makes this case particularly puzzling is that Mahant Ram Sudhari Mishra was sleeping inside his room on the temple premises during the theft but reported hearing no suspicious sounds or disturbances. "On Sunday evening, after offering bhog to the deities, I went to perform a puja in the village," the Mahant explained. "After returning late at night, I slept in my room and had no inkling of the theft until the devotees alerted me in the morning."
The SDPO added another layer to the investigation, noting that repair work had been ongoing at the temple, which meant construction workers had been regularly visiting the premises. This factor is being carefully examined as part of the ongoing investigation into how the thieves managed to execute their plan without detection.
Historical Pattern of Temple Thefts
This incident has revived painful memories for the local community. Villager Pankaj Singh revealed that approximately eight years ago, six idols disappeared from another Thakurbari in the same village, and those artifacts have never been recovered. This pattern suggests either organized criminal activity targeting religious artifacts or a concerning vulnerability in temple security measures across the region.
The police investigation continues as authorities work to:
- Identify the thieves through forensic evidence and witness accounts
- Trace the possible movement of the valuable ashtadhatu idols
- Understand how the theft was executed without alerting the sleeping Mahant
- Explore connections to previous temple thefts in the area
- Enhance security measures for other historical religious sites
This theft represents not just a significant financial loss estimated at Rs 1 crore, but more importantly, a devastating blow to the cultural and religious heritage of the community. The ancient idols held immense spiritual significance for devotees who had worshipped them for generations, making their disappearance particularly painful for the faithful who frequented the Ram Janaki Thakurwadi.
