The panchaloha Sreebali idol from the Sri Dharmasastha Temple at Koruthode was stolen on Monday night. The burglars also took away the kaanicka vanchi and discarded it after taking away the offerings by the devotees. The empty container was retrieved from the temple premises by the police.
According to police, the burglary came to the notice of the Melshanti Mr. Pradeep, when he went for the morning pooja by 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
The stolen idol weighs about five kilograms, police said. The temple is closely related to the Sabarimala pilgrimage and is owned by the Manikantavilasom Haindava Sanghom, Koruthode.
The front door of the sanctum was broken open seemingly by steel implements. Police have registered a case and fingerprint experts have taken samples from the spot.
