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An idol of Nandi reportedly went missing at a 500-year-old Shiva temple at Devalampeta village of Palamaner mandal, 50 km from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, about a week ago.
The episode came to light on Sunday, creating tensions in several forested villages nearby.
The ancient Shiva temple nestled deep inside the forests of Jagamarla near Moghili ghat section, attracts a large number of devotees from the surrounding villages during the Maha Shivaratri celebrations.
A few villagers had approached the Palamaner police on Saturday, saying that the idol was not to be found since March 26. A team of police officials then visited the village to conduct inquiries into the incident.
“It is a stone idol of Nandi situated in front of the main temple. A police officer said that it was not yet clear when the idol went missing. A complaint was taken from the villagers and further investigation is on,” a police officer said.
In the past, incidents of breaking Nandi idols was reported from a couple of temples in Chittoor district. After the infamous Ramatheertham episode, the Chittoor police had swung into action and installed digital surveillance at hundreds of Hindu temples across the district.
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