In a shocking act of sacrilege and theft, the serene Nagnath Mahadev temple in Lingabhat, Parra, became the target of a brazen late-night robbery on Thursday. Unidentified miscreants not only stole an estimated Rs 30,000 from the temple's donation box but also vandalised a sacred idol, leaving the local community in anguish. This marks the third such theft incident at this temple located on the bustling Calangute-Mapusa road in recent years.
A Priest Locked In, A Temple Violated
The audacious heist began with the perpetrators ensuring they would not be disturbed. They first locked the temple priest, Manohar Waze, inside his residence within the temple premises. With the priest confined, the thieves proceeded to break into the sanctum sanctorum, damaging the door and breaking the lock to gain entry.
The crime was discovered at around 7 am on Friday when Priest Waze arrived at the temple. He immediately noticed the forced entry and alerted the temple committee members. The sight that greeted them was one of violation: the donation box had been emptied, and the idol of Nandi, the sacred bull and vehicle of Lord Shiva, had been deliberately damaged.
Community Outcry and Police Investigation
Following the discovery, Devasthan president Vasudev Sirsat filed an official complaint with the Mapusa police. Law enforcement, led by PI Naveen Desai, swiftly responded. A forensic team was dispatched to the spot to collect evidence, and authorities are now scrutinising CCTV footage from nearby areas in hopes of identifying the suspects.
The recurring nature of the crime has sparked fear and anger among devotees and residents. Temple committee members expressed their frustration, directly linking the incident to a lapse in security. "This is happening because there is no police night patrol, which used to be in place earlier," they stated. They emphasised the urgent need for reinstating night patrols on the route, citing heavy nighttime traffic.
A Pattern of Crime Demands Action
This third theft at the Nagnath Mahadev temple underscores a disturbing pattern that has left the community feeling vulnerable. The violation of a place of worship, coupled with the theft of charitable donations, has dealt a deep emotional blow. The incident raises serious questions about the security of isolated religious sites, especially those located along major roads.
The local authorities are under pressure to not only apprehend the culprits of this specific crime but also to implement lasting security measures. The community's call for regular police night patrols highlights a critical gap in protection that needs to be addressed to prevent such desecrations from happening again.
