Nayagarh: In a daring overnight theft, miscreants broke into Maa Vaishno Devi Temple atop Jamukona hill in Odisha’s Nayagarh district and decamped with gold and silver ornaments worth more than Rs 40 lakh.
According to sources, the theft occurred on Thursday night amid severe weather conditions triggered by Kalabaisakhi storm. Heavy rains and strong winds lashed the area, causing a power outage that plunged the hilltop temple into darkness. It is being suspected that the robber, taking advantage of the situation, broke open the lock at the main gate and entered the 180-feet cave, modelled after the famous Vaishno Devi temple at Katra in Jammu, while temple staff remained indoors to escape the storm.
The stolen items include three gold crowns, three gold necklaces, a silver canopy, a silver lamp, a sword, and several other valuable artefacts. The donation box (hundi) containing cash was left untouched, as they focussed on the valuable jewellery and metallic artefacts.
The priest discovered the break-in this morning and immediately informed the temple authorities and Saranakula police, which along with forensic experts, reached the spot to collect evidence and clues. Involvement of insiders in the theft is being suspected, given the speed and precision of the operation deep inside the cave.
