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Bihar Temple Robbed: 1,500-Year-Old Vishnu Idol Vanishes
24 Oct
Summary
- A 1,500-year-old Vishnu idol vanished from a Bihar temple.
- Two other ancient artifacts, including a Durga idol, also missing.
- Intach-Bihar seeks FIR against temple priests for removal.
A significant theft has occurred at the Mukteshwar Mahadev temple in Madhubani, Bihar, with the disappearance of a 1,500-year-old Vishnu idol and two other ancient artifacts. The stolen items include the rare Vishnu sculpture, an idol of Mahishasura Mardini Durga from the Karnat dynasty period, and a pedestal for a Vishnu sculpture. The Vishnu idol, discovered in a pond in 2016, is a unique find from the Gupta period, with its existence previously unknown in Bihar.
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach)-Bihar has voiced strong concerns over the incident and the security of religious sites in the state. Shiv Kumar Mishra, a representative of Intach-Bihar, has formally requested the Madhubani District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police to register an FIR and initiate legal action. Mishra has alleged that the temple priests are responsible for the removal of these invaluable antiquities.
Further allegations suggest the destruction of an ancient Shiva lingam at the same site by local individuals. The state government's archaeology directorate has assured cooperation with the district administration to address the matter. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in preserving Bihar's rich archaeological heritage.
