A crown gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Bangladesh Temple of Jeshoreshwari has been stolen.

The crown, made of silver and gold-plated, was given to the temple during Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in March 2021. PM Modi also shared a video of his visit to the temple, marking it as his first trip to any country after the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to reports from Bangladeshi media, the theft took place on Thursday, shortly after the temple priest completed the day’s worship.

The cleaning staff at the temple found the crown was missing between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm, after the temple priest, Dilip Mukherjee, had left. They saw that the crown, which was placed on the statue of the goddess, was no longer there. After discovering this, they told the police, and an investigation started.

"We are reviewing the temple’s CCTV footage to identify the thief," said Inspector Taizul Islam of Shyamnagar Police Station. The stolen crown is not only valuable but also carries deep cultural and religious importance.

Bangladesh Temple
Image Source: Wikipedia

About the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple

The Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple, located in Ishwaripur, Satkhira, Bangladesh, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. The name Jeshoreshwari means Goddess of Jeshore in Sanskrit. This temple is part of the 51 Shakti Peeths, sacred places in Hindu mythology that are believed to have been created where the body parts of Goddess Sati fell. The temple holds great religious and cultural significance.

The temple was originally founded by a Brahman named Anari, who built a structure with 100 doors for the Jeshoreshwari Peeth. Over time, it was renovated by rulers like Lakshman Sen and Pratapaditya. The temple’s location is tied to local legends, including one about King Pratapaditya, who found the temple after witnessing a miraculous light in the area.

Temple architecture

The temple has a distinct architectural style, featuring a large rectangular platform called Natmondir, built close to the main temple. Although it was renovated in the late 13th century, only the pillars remain today. The main idol of Goddess Kali inside the temple is a masterpiece of local sculptural art from the South Bengal region. The temple also features a unique, terrifying stone sculpture known as the Karalvadana and a beautiful idol of Kali. This ancient temple continues to be a symbol of devotion and cultural heritage.

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