Gold ornaments stolen from temple near Bhuj

 Mar 20, 2012

BHUJ: Gold ornaments worth over Rs two lakhs were stolen from a Swaminarayan Mandir for women at Surajpar village near Bhuj on Monday.

Police said villagers suspect two women aged between 25 years and 30 years to have stolen the ornaments. The women had reportedly conducted a recce of the temple a fortnight ago and their movements were also suspicious. These women had come to the temple on Monday and managed to decamp after lifting all ornaments on Lord Ghanshyam Maharaj's sacred idols. Vinubhai Patel, Surajpar village sarpanch, said that a lady wearing a black Punjabi dress had come to the temple and tried for arranging an interview with a Sankhy Yogini of the temple.

Temple head threatens fast unto death

PALANPUR: Moni Nirbhay Sagar Maharaj, the head of Umta Digambar Jain temple, some 8 km from Visnagar in Mehsana district, has threatened to go on fast unto death if the stolen ancient idol of Chakreshwari Mata is not found.

Talking to TOI, Moni said, "I have abandoned food since the time I came to know of the theft. I would give up even liquids and go on fast till the idol is recovered."

Around 250-300 devotees from across the state will also join Moni in his fast. Devotees from other parts of the country have also expressed their solidarity with Moni.

Meanwhile, director of State Archeological Survey Y S Rawat said, "The lost idol was indeed unique for its sculptural prettiness. It was a priceless piece. The idol belongs to 1200-1300 CE during the Solanki dynasty."