Ancient Durga idol stolen from Kashipur palace temple

An ancient 'ashtadhatu'
Idol of Goddess Durga belonging to the temple of Kashipur palace, about 45 km from here, has been stolen.
Kashipur sub-divisional police officer Panchanan Mukherjee said today the two-feet high idol made of an alloy of eight metals, worshipped as the family deity by the erstwhile princely family of Kashipur, was stolen last night along with those of Lord Shiva and Ganesha and 10 other pieces including the trident.
Mukherjee said the theft of the idol, estimated to be worth crores of rupees was discovered today morning and eight villagers have been detained for questioning.
The miscreants stole it when villagers were busy watching a 'jatra', a form of playacting on a stage open on all sides, was on in the vicinity, he said.

The Durga idol was claimed to be 2000 years old by a member of the family and Trinamool Congress MLA K P Singhdeo.

"An FIR has been filed by the family. The theft of the ancient idol is heart rending," he said.
Temple priest Rashbehari Bhattacharya, who has been conducting the daily rituals for about 50 years said the temple door had been locked from outside as usual after he left last evening following the night rituals.
When he came today morning he found the lock in place but on opening it saw the idol missing and a large gap on the wall behind it, he said.

The idol is worshipped everyday but a 16-day special puja is held during Durga puja, while in the rest of the state it lasts for five days and is a tourist draw.
The temple, known as 'Debibari' (House of the goddess) is adjacent to the palace, which is now in shambles.
The family does not live in the palace and is now inhabited by those who are involved in the daily puja at the temple.
A police picket has been posted at the temple.