Patna: A major theft at the historic 24 Avatar Dham of Chakoti Muth in Samastipur district has sparked outrage among devotees after thieves allegedly stole the nearly 150-year-old Ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy) idol of Lord Ram, four brass idols of Goddess Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Laddu Gopal, along with gold and silver ornaments and cash from donation boxes.The theft took place in the 200-year-old temple under Khanpur police station area late Saturday night. The incident came to light on Sunday morning when Mahant Ramsevak Das Shastri arrived around 6am to open the temple for the daily Brahma Muhurt rituals. He found the donation boxes scattered on the premises, the grill open and the sanctum sanctorum unlocked. On entering the temple, he discovered that the idols and several valuable ornaments had disappeared, said police.The mahant said the temple was securely locked after the evening ‘aarti’ as it was done every night. The matter was immediately reported to the police after the theft was detected, he added.According to temple authorities, the stolen items include a gold-plated bow and arrow, umbrella, a silver crown, gold chains and other ornaments installed after the temple’s recent renovation. The thieves also allegedly broke open four donation boxes and fled with the cash kept inside.News of the theft drew a large number of devotees to the temple on Sunday, with many expressing anger and concern over the security of the historic shrine.After receiving information, Khanpur police station in charge Shiv Pujan Kumar reached the temple with a police team. Sadar DSP-II Sanjay Kumar said police were examining all possible angles, questioning people associated with the temple and conducting raids in nearby areas. He said the CCTV cameras installed on the temple premises had not been working for the past few weeks.The DSP told TOI that a case was registered and investigation was underway. The forensic team was also called to the spot.SHO Shiv Pujan Kumar said police received information about the incident at 6.30am, following which the team started the investigation. “The statement of the mahant has been recorded. The brass idols are six inches each, while the ancient Ashtadhatu idol of Lord Ram is 11 inches,” he said.Chakoti Muth is regarded as one of the oldest religious centres in the region, having been established around 200 years ago. Since 2012, Ramsevak Das, who came from Ayodhya, has been overseeing worship and religious activities at the temple.The shrine has remained in the spotlight since June this year, when an 11-day Vishnu Mahayagna was organised under the mahant’s guidance. On June 24, chief minister Samrat Choudhary and deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary attended the consecration ceremony at the temple complex. The stolen Ashtadhatu idol was housed in the same sanctum where the religious rituals were performed.
