A gold-plated silver crown, gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Satkhira, Bangladesh, has reportedly been stolen. The theft occurred on Thursday between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm, shortly after the temple’s daily worship concluded. The temple’s priest, Dilip Mukherjee, had left for the day when cleaning staff discovered the crown was missing from the deity’s head, according to a report from The Daily Star.
Local authorities are actively investigating the incident. “We are reviewing the temple’s CCTV footage to identify the thief,” said Inspector Taizul Islam of Shyamnagar Police Station.
The stolen crown holds deep religious significance for devotees, as the Jeshoreshwari Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, revered sites dedicated to the goddess Shakti, spread across India and neighboring countries. The incident comes amid the ongoing Navratri festival, which honors the nine incarnations of the goddess Durga, also worshipped as Maa Kali.
Prime Minister Modi presented the crown during his visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, as a symbolic offering to the deity. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka expressed its concern, calling for an immediate investigation. “We express deep concern & urge the Government of Bangladesh to investigate the theft, recover the crown, & take action against the perpetrators,” the Commission stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The Jeshoreshwari Temple, located in Ishwaripur, Satkhira, is believed to have been originally built in the 12th century by a Brahmin named Anari. It has undergone several renovations, including one by Lakshman Sen in the 13th century, and later by Raja Pratapaditya in the 16th century.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi had also announced plans for India to construct a multipurpose community hall at the temple, to serve the local community for religious, social, and educational events, as well as a shelter during natural disasters.