A ceremonial crown gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the historic Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh’s Satkhira district has been reported stolen. The theft occurred Thursday afternoon, shortly after the temple priest completed daily worship rituals.
Sacred crown gifted by PM Modi stolen from Bangladesh temple
The silver, gold-plated crown, presented by Modi during his March 2021 visit to Bangladesh, was discovered missing by cleaning staff who found the deity’s head bare.
Jyoti Chattopadhyay, whose family has been the temple’s traditional custodian for generations, confirmed the crown’s composition to Bangladeshi media.
Why Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh is significant?
The Jeshoreshwari Temple holds particular significance as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, sacred sites in Hindu mythology spread across the Indian subcontinent. The temple’s rich history dates back to the 12th century when it was originally built by a Brahman named Anari with its distinctive 100 doors.
Subsequent renovations were undertaken by Lakshman Sen in the 13th century and Raja Pratapaditya in the 16th century.
PM Modi’s visit
During his 2021 visit, PM Modi announced plans for a multipurpose community hall at the temple site, emphasizing its potential role as both a cultural centre and emergency shelter. “It will be useful for social, religious and educational events for local people and also act as a shelter during disasters like cyclones,” the Prime Minister had stated.
The theft has raised concerns about security at this historically significant religious site that represents centuries of shared cultural heritage between India and Bangladesh.
