Antique idol stolen

Bilaspur, Nov 11 (UNI) An antique granite idol of Lord Vishnu, dating back to the Kalchuri era, was stolen from a temple in Bilha area of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh.

Theft of the four-feet high idol, weighing two quintal, was noticed yesterday and it was suspected that the idol might have been shifted elsewhere in a vehicle, police said.

The idol, which was recovered during deepening of Pacharayya pond between 1936 and 1938, had been kept with other idols of Kalchuri era at a temple adjoining the pond, Earlier, an idol of Brahma and another of Apsara had been stolen from the temple, but the Brahma idol was later recovered.

UNI XC-SP SHB RK1535