THANJAVUR: In an unfortunate development, a gold plated crown, gold jeba maalai (beads used for doing jebam) weighing 3.5 sovereigns and a gold necklace weighing four sovereigns contributed by devotees to Pudumai Matha (Holy Mother) at the basilica at Poondi near Thirukattuppallli in Thanjavur district were burgled on Friday night.
According to the police, the basilica will be closed at 9.30 pm daily and opened at 4.50 am next day. On Friday, the basilica was closed at 9.30 pm.
When it was opened on Saturday morning, security guard David found the doors of the hall in which Matha's statue has been installed, broken open.
The poor man informed the priests of the basilica Pakkiyasamy and Alphonse. They found the gold plated crown, gold jebamaalai and gold necklace which adorned the Matha statue missing. The three items were contributed by devotees at various times and will be used whenever there is a festival.
