BHAKTAPUR, Sept 12: Three idols have been stolen from a temple at Aadarsh Bhelukhel in Bhaktapur. The temple is one of the famous temples in Bhaktapur and every year on April 16, a big fair is held there on the occasion of Bisket Jatra.
The three idols of Draupadi, Bhimsen and Ganesh were stolen from Gaya Bhindyo (Bhimsen) temple in Bhaktapur Municipality-5, Bhelukhel. Kumar Chawal, chairman of the local Bhimsen Tol Development Committee, said the idols were stolen during the night by breaking the main gate of the temple. Three statues made up of bronze were stolen.
Stolen archaeological idols not yet detected
Local residents got the information about the theft only in the morning. Temple priestess Mangal Maya Badhyakar said that the local Ram Krishna Lohala was the first to know about the theft of the idol. According to the local Ram Krishna Kapali, the locals looked all over the temple in the morning and found that the main gate of the one-story temple was uprooted. He said that it was found that the three idols made up of bronze were stolen.
Aadarsh Aazad Secondary School is located near the temple. According to local Lakshmi Prasad Dhukuchu, former headmaster of the school, an idol inside was stolen earlier as well. After the idol was stolen, devotee Ram Krishna Lohala bought the idols at his personal expense and kept it in the temple. “After it was stolen around 2051 BS, Ram Krishna Lohala had bought it for 11/12 thousand rupees at that time,” local Dhukuchu said. "Given the current market price, the value of the idols must have doubled than before."
The incident has been reported to the police. The police have collected circumstantial evidence from the incident site. According to the police, the search for those involved in the theft is currently underway. The temple is said to be open every day from 4AM to 8PM. The temple’s gate is locked at night.
