The theft happened at the Sai Dham temple in Sector 29 here in the early hours of Friday.
Police said that they received a complaint on Friday from the temple trust after its workers had found the donation box inside the premises broken and the money missing.
Police said the main accused had allegedly entered the premises through a window on the first floor and also damaged the CCTV cameras installed there.
The other arrested man was waiting with a scooter outside and helped him escape.
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They were produced before a court today which remanded them in police custody till tomorrow.
An amount of around Rs 3.5 lakh has been recovered from their possession so far. A toy airgun was also found on them, police said.
"During the course of interrogation suspect Amarjit alias Sonu said that he had a mobile shop at Kajheri village here, but suffered heavy losses in his business. He also told the police that he was a regular visitor of Sai temple here for the last 7 to 8 years and was well-versed with the temple's structure," a police official said.
"On June 28, he planned the theft with co-accused Ajay and also conducted a recce planning how to enter and exit the temple. On intervening night of June 29-30, Amarjit gained entry into the temple by breaking open the window of first floor of the temple and once inside he also brushed the CCTV cameras with the black paint and damaged them. He also wore a black gown and a mask to conceal his identity," the official said.
"After committing the theft both the accused went to Amarjt's house and kept the stolen money in a car," he said.
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