Two idols stolen in Arumbakkam temple, replaced with fake ones

CHENNAI: On the eve of Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, the theft of two ancient idols inside the 750-year-old Sathya Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Arumbakkam has come to light.

Thieves are suspected to have stolen the original idol of Shriman Nathamuni and Anjaneyar, and replaced it with similar-looking idols. The theft came to light after temple executive officer A Kumaresan, who had taken charge on November 18, took inventory of the assets.

On receiving the information, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials examined the idols at the temple and confirmed prima facie that they were not original bronze idols. They will, however, do more checks and come out with their final report in a week. On their part, the Arumbakkam police have registered a case.

Police said they would question executive officer Kumaresan and analyse the photographs available with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) department.

“If needed, we will also question the previous executive officer and priests who have been performing puja to these idols daily,” said an officer.

Rohit Nathan, Anna Nagar deputy commissioner of police, said, “The probe is underway. We are waiting for the ASI report.”

The replaced idols were installed at the outer praharam along with those of Chakkarathalwar, Perumal’s Padam, Sudarsana, Venugopalan, Ananda Sayana Perumal, Kothanda Ramar, Sita with Lakshmana.

Though the temple, located beside the river Cooum, is ancient, its present structure was reconstructed in later years.

With the sacred Paramapatha Vasal on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day scheduled to be opened in the early hours of Saturday, several devotees were worried about the incident.