The renowned Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, also known as the Devaraja Swami Temple or Athi Varadhar Temple, has come under scrutiny after a complaint was filed alleging the disappearance of its famous gold and silver lizard (palli) idols. The idol theft prevention Wing of the Tamil Nadu Police has launched an official investigation into the matter.
The temple, one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams, is among the most revered shrines in Tamil Nadu, attracting thousands of devotees daily. The gold and silver lizard idols inside the temple are particularly popular, with devotees believing that touching them brings relief from astrological afflictions associated with the Sun and Moon.
Due to decades of wear caused by constant public contact, the temple administration had recently begun renovation and restoration work in the area housing the lizard idols. The administration stated that the old idols were temporarily relocated as part of the renovation and that new gold and silver idols were being prepared for installation.
However, Rangarajan Narasimhan, a devotee from Srirangam and temple activist, lodged a complaint with the Idol Wing, alleging that the original idols had gone missing during the process. Acting on the complaint, a special police team led by DSP Sampath and six officers conducted an inspection of the temple premises on Thursday.
During the visit, officials examined the idols, reviewed temple records, and questioned priests, staff members, and the temple manager. Assistant Commissioner Rajalakshmi of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department was also questioned by the police, who recorded her responses to 13 specific queries related to the handling and movement of the idols. A formal summons has been issued for further investigation.
The hours-long search and inspection by the Idol Theft Prevention Police created a major stir in Kanchipuram, with devotees and locals expressing concern over the fate of the revered lizard idols and demanding transparency in the temple’s renovation process.
Authorities have assured that a detailed inquiry is underway to verify the status and authenticity of the idols currently housed at the temple.
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