In a shocking incident, a crown gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the revered Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh has been stolen. The theft occurred on Thursday afternoon, between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm, after the Temple Priest, Dilip Mukherjee, left following the day’s worship. The cleaning staff later discovered the crown was missing from the deity’s head.
The stolen crown, crafted from silver and gold-plated, holds significant cultural and religious importance. The Jeshoreshwari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths scattered across India and neighboring countries. According to Hindu mythology, these Shakti Peeths represent the places where the body parts of Goddess Sati fell after her self-immolation. The name “Jeshoreshwari” translates to “Goddess of Jeshore”, signifying the temple’s historical and spiritual significance in the region.
Prime Minister Modi visited the Jeshoreshwari Temple on March 27, 2021, during his trip to Bangladesh. As a symbolic gesture, he placed the crown on the head of the deity. He also shared a video of his visit on social media, marking it as his first trip abroad after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The temple, located in Ishwaripur village in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have been built by a Brahman named Anari and later renovated by Lakshman Sen in the 13th century and Raja Pratapaditya in the 16th century.
The theft has sent shockwaves through the community and has raised concerns about the security of religious sites. The Shyamnagar Police Station is investigating the matter and reviewing CCTV footage to identify the thief. The stolen crown is a valuable cultural artifact and its recovery is a priority for the authorities and the community.
