"The thieves could lift the heavy statue of Shiva … but left the statue of Nandi Bull untouched," said Durgesh Mehta, manager of the temple facility.
The theft has been reported to the police and an investigation is under way, according to CBS local news. The case is being investigated as a possible heist for metal to be sold as scrap, the report said. The statue, valued at around $6,200, is made of a five-metal alloy that contains copper, gold and silver. Because of the weight, police believe at least a few thieves were involved in the heist, CBS reported. The ground was disturbed where the idol was likely put down just before being loaded into a vehicle, police said.
While the temple building has surveillance cameras, the theft was not caught on tape as the outdoor area where the statue was located was completely under darkness and beyond the reach of the camera.
"During the nighttime, outside lights are turned off to save power," Mehta said.
Recreating mythical belief of Lord Shiva's abode at Mount Kailasa, the trustees of the temple had installed the idol outside. "The statue of Shiva and his ride, the holy Nandi Bull, were placed without a solid base in the open," said Jayesh Patel, secretary of the center.
The theft has baffled community members, with many questioning why anyone would, or could, steal something so large and so important to the temple. "It was never suspected that such thing could ever happen," said Jyotindra Patel, the temple board chairman. “We are a peaceful community. The trust was considering to place the statues inside a small Shiva temple to be constructed at the same spot.”
The temple board now plans to increase security at the temple. Jyotindra Patel said that the main driveway will be closed and surveillance equipment will be upgraded. "A reward of $2,500 has been offered to anyone who could provide information about the stolen statue," he said.
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