Chengalpattu, September 3 (H.S.): A rare emerald idol of Lord Murugan and several silver articles were allegedly stolen from a hilltop temple near Maduranthakam in Tamil Nadu’s Chengalpattu district, prompting police to launch an investigation.

The theft was reported from the Nadupalani Balamurugan Emerald Dhandayudhapani Temple atop a hill near Perukkaranai village in the Maduranthakam area.

According to police and temple authorities, unidentified persons allegedly broke into the temple and took away the green-coloured Balamurugan Dhandayudhapani idol, which is around two feet tall, along with silver articles kept at the shrine.

The temple is dedicated to Balamurugan Dhandayudhapani Swamy and is known for the unusual idol, which is reportedly made of emerald stone. The idol was installed at the temple in 2008 by the Ganapathy Sachidananda Swamigal Trust of Mysuru. Temple sources said it had been installed at an estimated cost of around Rs 3 lakh at the time.

The sanctum had three doors as part of its security arrangements. CCTV cameras and a warning siren had also been installed at the temple.

The temple priest completed the rituals on Tuesday night, locked the shrine and left for home. When he returned on Wednesday morning for the daily puja, he reportedly found the temple doors damaged.

On entering the sanctum, temple staff found that the emerald idol was missing. Silver articles kept inside the temple were also found to have been taken away.

The temple authorities informed the Siddamoor police, following which a police team reached the spot and inspected the premises.

Fingerprint experts were called to collect forensic evidence, while sniffer dogs were deployed as part of the investigation.

Police are examining CCTV footage from cameras installed inside and around the temple to establish the sequence of events and identify the suspects.

A case has been registered by the Siddamoor police under the sections mentioned in the source in connection with the theft.

A special team comprising six police inspectors has been formed to trace and arrest those allegedly involved in the theft.

Investigators are also examining whether the suspects had prior knowledge of the temple’s security arrangements and the movements of the priest and other temple staff.

The theft has caused concern among devotees and residents of Perukkaranai and surrounding villages, particularly because the idol was kept inside a temple equipped with multiple security measures.

Further investigation is underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar