Holy Kalasams atop 1500-year-old temple’s tower stolen in Tamil Nadu
India Today
Devotees in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore were in for a shock on Tuesday, March 1, as three holy Kalasams at the top of the Virudhagireeswarar temple tower went missing. Police suspect that they were stolen to be smuggled out of India and sold on the black market.
On Tuesday, March 1, devotees at the Virudhagireeswarar temple in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district were in shock as the holy Kalasams atop the temple’s tower were missing. As per reports, the three Kalasams, each three feet in height, were coated with gold weighing 400 grams.
The Virudhagireeswarar temple at Virudhachalam is nearly 1500 years old and was built by the Cholas.
The temple is considered auspicious for devotees who visit the holy land of Kasi. The temple history also includes saint poets of the Saivite clan, Thirugnanasbandar, Sundaram and Thiruvasagar. They sang hymns in the temple.
On February 6, Kumbhabhishekam rituals were performed grandly in the temple. Kumbabisheman is a temple ritual that is believed to homogenise, synergise and unite the mystic powers of the deity.
Devotees were shocked when they noticed the missing Kalasams on Tuesday. Immediately, they informed the police. After reaching the spot, the police immediately collected CCTV footage from the surrounding area and initiated an investigation.
The Holy Kalasams were covered with gold weighing 400 gm reportedly. Police are inquiring if they were stolen to be smuggled out of India and sold on the black market.
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