1000-kg idol stolen from temple in East Godavari; investigation underway

A 1,000-kg Nandi idol has been stolen from the Balatripurasundary Sametha Agastheswara Swamy temple in Ramachandrapuram, a town in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, police said Friday. The robbery occurred at the 400-year-old place of worship Wednesday night.

Investigations have since begun following a complaint from the temple authorities, the police said adding that sniffer dogs too have been pressed into service. The executive officer of the temple Ramarao told PTI only a huge gang could have stolen the idol which cannot be lifted by one or two robbers because it was so heavy.