In a carefully planned burglary, thieves entered the sanctum sanctorum of Makalikavu Bhagavathy Temple at Thekkepuram in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, and made off with its 15-kg panchaloha murti and a silver conch after allegedly covering the CCTV cameras with a silk cloth.
The theft is suspected to have taken place late Thursday night or in the early hours of Friday. The murti, which is believed to be more than 50 years old, is the principal deity of the temple.
The theft came to light when the temple priest arrived in the morning to open the shrine. He noticed that the murti was missing from the sanctum and alerted the temple authorities. Residents also gathered at the temple after the incident came to light.
The Kunnamkulam police reached the spot and launched an investigation. The fact that the thieves allegedly covered the CCTV cameras before the theft has strengthened suspicion that the burglary was pre-planned.
The police are examining whether the perpetrators had prior knowledge of the temple’s security arrangements. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from roads and nearby establishments to track the suspects’ movements before and after the burglary.
According to reports, the murti was installed at the temple around 60 years ago, and the loss is estimated at around Rs 15 lakh. The key to the sanctum is believed to have been taken from the temple office, suggesting insider knowledge or access.
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