Sullia Temple Robbed Off Rs 6 Lakh Worth Valuables including Antique Idol

Sullia Temple Robbed Off Rs 6 Lakh Worth Valuables including Antique Idol

Mangaluru: Gold and silver ornaments, including an antique value 800-year-old panchaloha idol of the Marakata Durga Parameshwari temple, about seven kilometres away from Kukke Subrahmanya, were allegedly stolen in the early hours on Friday. Many devotees who go to the Kukke Subrahmanya temple visit this temple also.

According to the police, the door on the north side of the temple was found broken open and the closed circuit cameras in the temple damaged. Superintendent of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C.H. said that the theft looks to be the work of a professional gang. The accused may have carried out a recce before striking at the temple. A team of the Subrahmanya police has launched a search for the accused.

According to H Srirama Bhat, the temple priest, burglars gained entry into the temple around 2 am or so, by destroying the CCTV cameras installed at the temple premises. It is learnt that the temple, coming under Muzrai Department is only west facing temple in Dakshina Kannada after Sri Durga Parameshwari of Kateel. The main deity of this temple is Shree Durga Parameshwari.

Sources reveal that as per the footage recorded on CCTV, shows a man covering his head with a helmet and wearing a jacket, enters temple premises. Unfortunately, there is no security guard present at night. The masked man is seen destroying/ pulling out all the CCTV cameras installed across temple. Later, he gains entry inside temple by breaking open the door. There are a suspicion that more people might have joined masked man once he destroyed the surveillance system.

Police sources reveal that the burglars decamped with a silver crown worth Rs 1 lakh, emerald green pendant worth Rs 50,000, mangalasutra worth Rs 60,000 and other valuables worth Rs 6 lakh. However, the value of pachaloha idol which is named as ‘Utsava Murthy’, which is about five feet tall, is priceless and has antique value. The idol is eight centuries old. The incident of burglary came to light only when temple priest arrived at the premises to conduct morning puja rituals, and immediately informed the Subramanya police, and they have registered a case.

It is also learnt that in order to reach the temple, one has to travel about a kilometre inside from main road to reach the temple. About Marakatha Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple-the is located about 10km away from Kukke Subramanya. This temple is unique of all respect. This sacred place is originally established by the offspring of Saint Markandeya about 2000 years ago. One of the other main attractions here is the fish forum in Kallaje river flowing beside the temple.The temple is known for fulfilling the wishes made with regard to marriage, curing of the disease and job. The temple provides an escape from the mundane routine life to be amidst the greenery in calm surroundings. It draws into its fold people from various segments; and binds them together. People believe that all sins will go off if one takes sacred bath on the day of ‘Makara Sankramana’ (falls in January) in a place called Gaya in Kallaje river which is near by.