Miscreants have looted gold and silver jewellery and cash worth lakhs from the donation box of the Radhakanhu temple in Maitapur village, Simulia block, Bhadrak district, late Friday night. The theft, including ornaments from the Radha Krushna murtis, was captured on CCTV, and the pujari discovered the broken lock on Saturday morning before alerting the police.
According to local sources, the thieves emptied the temple’s donation box and removed gold and silver jewellery adorning the Radha Krushna murtis, targeting both offerings and sacred ornaments meant for seva. Such robberies not only cause financial loss but also deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees for whom every rupee and ornament is an act of bhakti.
The temple pujari noticed the broken gate lock during the morning rounds and immediately informed the authorities, following which the police reached the spot and started an investigation. CCTV footage from the temple premises will be crucial in identifying the culprits, and devotees will be looking for swift action and enhanced security measures to protect the sanctity of the temple.
Faithful Hindus give to temples with trust and reverence; each such robbery is an attack on that trust and on the shared sacred space the community is striving to preserve.
