Vijayapura, July 6 (AHN) A 32-kg silver idol of Sri Pavada Basaveshwara, valued at approximately Rs 51.20 lakh, was allegedly stolen from the historic Sri Pavada Basaveshwara Temple at Muddebihal in Karnataka's Vijayapura district during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, prompting a police investigation.

The theft came to light early on Monday morning after the temple caretaker noticed that the locks of the sanctum and the outer entrance had been broken.

According to a complaint lodged by Yamanappa Biradar (70), president of the Sri Pavada Basaveshwara Temple Committee, caretaker Sadhu Shankaralinga Jatteppa Emmennavara telephoned him at around 4 a.m. after discovering that the two doors leading to the main shrine had been forced open.

Biradar, accompanied by temple committee members M.R. Nadagouda, S.B. Nadagouda, B.G. Sajjan and others, along with temple priest Sharanaya Basaiah Salimath and residents, rushed to the temple. On entering the sanctum sanctorum, they found that the silver idol of Sri Pavada Basaveshwara was missing.

The temple complex comprises three shrines dedicated to Sri Pavada Basaveshwara, Sri Sharanabasaveshwara and Sri Karibasaveshwara. The stolen idol belonged to the central shrine dedicated to Sri Pavada Basaveshwara.

During preliminary inquiries, the priest informed the committee that he had performed the nightly rituals around 9 p.m. on Sunday, then locked the sanctum door and the outer iron gate, and left the premises.

Based on the initial investigation, police suspect the theft occurred between 9 p.m. on July 5 and 4:30 a.m. on July 6.

In his complaint, Biradar alleged that unidentified persons broke open the locks of both doors, entered the temple premises and escaped with the silver idol.

He said the temple committee would hold discussions with local villagers regarding the incident and urged the authorities to identify and take stringent legal action against those responsible.

Police have registered a case at the Muddebihal Police Station and launched an investigation. Officials are examining CCTV footage from the temple and surrounding areas, collecting forensic evidence, and questioning local residents to identify the culprits.

The Sri Pavada Basaveshwara Temple is one of the prominent religious centres in Muddebihal, North Karnataka, and draws a large number of devotees from Vijayapura district and neighbouring regions. The theft of the idol has caused concern among devotees and local residents.