Chennai: An idol of Goddess Parvati, belonging to the Chola period, was stolen from Nadanapureshwarar Sivan temple near Kumbakonak in 1971. After 51 years, the idol wing of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) ferreted it out in New York where the statue was listed for auction by Bonham’s auction house, sources said on Monday. Aside from that, the officials are trying to find out four other idols of the Chola period, which were stolen from the temple.
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The idol was stolen on May 12, 1971. The next day, a complaint was filed at the Nachiyarkoil police station. Its value was fixed for Rs 1.6 crore. No sooner had the CID officials laid their hands on the idol than they found similarities between the one they found at Bonhamsand the one stolen from the temple 51 years ago. They are trying to bring the idol back to India with the help of documents.
