The Maragatha Lingam which was stolen from Sri Thyagarajaswamy temple at Thirukaravasal in Tiruvarur district in 1992 and which was recovered by the police recently, was handed over to the temple authorities by the idol wing police at Thirukaravasal on Wednesday.
A team of police officials comprising of S. Selvaraj, Deputy Superintendent of police, Idol wing and Inspectors I. Khader Batcha and N. Jeevanandam-handed over the Maragatha Lingam to HR and CE officials- Kavitha Joint Commissioner, Gajendran, Assistant Commissioner and Kaviyarasu, Executive Officer of the temple.
The Lingam was taken in a procession to the temple and villagers accorded a welcome to the idol at the entrance of the temple. According to DSP Selvaraj, the idol was stolen from the temple on August 2, 1992. It could not be traced for a long time. After G. Thivakavathy became the Additinal Director General of Police, Idol wing, special team was formed to investigate. On getting information that a person tried to sell Maragatha Lingam in Villupuram area, the team rushed there and recovered the Lingam from that person named Devasenathipathi. Later the police verified with archakas of the temple and others and confirmed that it was the lingam which was stolen from temple. Devasenathipathi was arrested, produced before court and remanded to custody.
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HR and CE officials said that pujas for the lingam will start on an auspicious day. Until then the Lingam will be kept safely in the temple. Police security has been arranged for the temple.