The ancient 'ashtadhatu' Durga idol and eight other pieces which were stolen from Kashipur palace temple have been found.
Police said today that the two-feet high Durga idol, claimed by the erstwhile princely family to be 2000 years old, was found lying in a dark corner behind the platform on which it stood, during repeated searches by the family members and the priest.
The eight other pieces were recovered from nearby bushes by the police after interrogating the eight villagers detained in connection with the theft.
The theft had taken place on Sunday night and came to light the next day when the priest, who has been conducting the daily rituals for over 50 years, opened the lock of the temple door.
The temple, known as 'Debibari' House of the Goddess), is adjacent to Kashipur palace, about 45 km from here. The palace is in shambles.
The idol has been reinstalled on its throne today after performing puja, members of the erstwhile royal family said.
The Durga idol is worshipped everyday but a 16-day special puja is held during Durga puja, while in the rest of the state it lasts for five days and is a tourist attraction.
