Three golden crowns, collectively weighing about 1.3 kg, were reported missing from Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple at Tirupati, its officials said on Sunday.
The crowns adorned the statues of deities Lord Venkateswara, Sri Lakshmi and Sri Padmavathi at an ancient shrine inside the temple complex. They were reported missing on Saturday night, a security official of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) told PTI.
The theft in the temple, which dates back to 12th century, is suspected to have taken place at the time of evening prasad offerings, according to the police complaint filed by the temple superintendent Sri Gyana Prakash.
Surveillance camera footage was being examined to track the culprits, he said. The TTD has also filed a complaint with police who have started a probe, he said.
Police said they have registered a case but no arrest has been made so far.
The temple was closed between 5 pm and 5.45 pm at the time of prasad offerings. When priest Harikrishna Deekshitulu took charge from priest Vijayasaradhi as the temple opened, he noticed the crowns were missing. He then informed Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam, the overseeing authority, and a police complaint was filed in the early hours on Sunday.
