Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Jul 15: On Monday July 13 afternoon, thieves entered Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple in Belman village in the taluk and took away gold ornaments worth about three lac rupees. The presiding deity of temple is reverred as one of the nine Durga idols in the region. Having been located in the forest area, the Goddess is also known with the name, 'Vanadurga'.

The priest of the temple had offered the noon puja at the temple and gone home, after which unknown thieves entered the temple by breaking open the front lock. They took away ornaments on the idol after entering the sanctum sanctorum.

The temple is surrounded by forest area, and therefore, the villagers have expressed the opinion that the theft was committed by people who knew that the temple area stays deserted during the afternoons. A complaint was filed in rural police station here, and police personnel, who visited the spot and made queries, have registered a case. Investigation has been undertaken.