TANJORE: A Panchaloka idol had been stolen from a temple at Thuraiyur village in Tanjore district. Villagers allege that locks on the grill gate of the centuries old temple located at Thuraiyur village near Peravurani was found broken. The theft came to light when Vijaya, wife of Packirisamy, staff of the village temple had gone to open the temple during the early hours on January 26. Vijaya informed Pakirisamy who in turn complained to the Police and the villagers. The steel box that contained the Panchaloka idol of the Amman that is carried out in procession during festivals, was found to be missing after villagers went inside the temple. The idol weighing 20 kg is worth several lakhs of rupees Police said. According to villagers, the idol was actually kept at the Sivan temple at Marungapallam village till 1974. After noticing the inscription saying “Thuraiyur Muthumariamman,” the village elders of Thuraiyur village got back the idol and kept in the Thuraiyur Muthumariamman temple. Sethubavachathiram Police registered a case based on a complaint by the temple priest M Ayyadurai.]]>
