As the news of the theft spread, a large number of people gathered at the temple. Some devotees also staged dharna in front of the temple demanding immediate arrest of the culprits, The New Indian Express has reported.

KENDRAPARA: Burglars broke into a Shiva temple in Malikeswarpur village within Derabishi police limits on Monday night and decamped with an idol of Goddess Laxmi from the outer wall of the shrine.

The idol was made up of black granite (Muguni) stone and was three feet high. The idol weighs approximately one quintal. When priest Purusotam Padhi reached the temple on Tuesday morning and found the idol missing. He then filed an FIR in the police station.

Derabishi IIC, Umakanta Nayak said a special team has been formed to investigate the theft. He said that the priests and locals were being questioned.

As the news of the theft spread, a large number of people gathered at the temple. Some devotees also staged dharna in front of the temple demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Sources said as many as 15 temples; Buddhist monasteries and other historic places have been burgled in the last four years in the district. —– The New Indian Express has reported

Last year, burglars escaped with a three feet high Muguni idol of Goddess Durga sitting on the lap of Lord Shiva from the Nayakbabu temple within the core area of Bhitarkanika National Park.

Eight months back, Astadhatu idols, gold and silver ornaments were stolen from the 350-year-old Radhakanta Jew temple in Giria village under Rajkanika.

Two years back, miscreants fleed with gold and silver ornaments and artefact worth of over `3 lakh from the famous Kali temple in Olaver village.

Image Source: The New Indian Express