In a shocking incident, a crown gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh has been stolen. The theft occurred on Thursday afternoon at the temple located in Satkhira’s Shyamnagar area. Local police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The silver crown, which is gold-plated, was presented to the temple during PM Modi’s visit in March 2021. This visit marked his first trip abroad following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he placed the crown on the deity’s head as a symbolic gesture. The Jeshoreshwari Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths located across India and neighboring countries, revered for its spiritual significance.
The theft was discovered around 2 PM when the temple’s cleaning staff noticed that the crown was missing from the deity’s head. Temple priest Dilip Mukherjee had left the premises after the day’s worship, allowing the incident to go unnoticed for a short period.
Inspector Taizul Islam of Shyamnagar Police Station stated, “We are reviewing the temple’s CCTV footage to identify the thief.” The police are hopeful that the footage will provide leads in this case, which has raised concerns among the local community and devotees of the temple.
The Jeshoreshwari Temple, named after the “Goddess of Jeshore,” holds significant cultural and religious importance, attracting numerous visitors and worshippers. The loss of such a valuable and symbolically rich artifact has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their dismay over the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the temple administration and local authorities are working together to ensure the security of the temple and its remaining treasures. The theft highlights the need for improved safety measures at religious sites to protect their cultural heritage.
