In a flurry of temple break-in incidents, unidentified thieves targeted the historic Moinbari Satra in Assam’s Barpeta, stealing a good amount of money and several gold ornaments.
The incident occurred on Thursday night and the thieves gained access by breaking a window.
The culprits ransacked the sacred place and stole the 450-year-old gold crown of Lord Krishna from the kirtan ghar of the Satra worth Rs 20 lakh.
The robbers also looted 500-year-old palms, plates, barkahs, pots and other gold and silver items and alms boxes. They also vandalized the Guruasana, a 400-year-old idol of Hanuman and other religious items.
The thieves also stole the donations made by devotees, and several valuable gold ornaments that held immense religious and historical significance.
The thieves also decamped with several ceremonial artifacts that had been in the possession of the satra for generations.
Local police have been informed of the incident and an investigation into the matter has been initiated.
The Moinbari Satra holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Barpeta, and this audacious theft has deeply saddened the monks as well as the community as a whole. It is one of the prominent satras in Barpeta, known for its cultural and religious heritage. It has been a center for spiritual and cultural activities for centuries and is an integral part of Assam’s cultural fabric.
