Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A crown gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple in Bangladesh has been stolen, The Daily Star reported. The theft occurred on Thursday afternoon, shortly after the temple priest completed the day’s worship rituals. The crown, made of silver and gold-plated, was found missing by the temple’s cleaning staff later in the day.
The crown holds significant symbolic value, as it was personally presented by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Bangladesh in March 2021. He placed the crown on the head of Goddess Kali at the Jeshoreshwari Temple in a ceremonial gesture, marking the importance of the occasion.
In response to the theft, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh expressed “deep concern” and urged local authorities to investigate and recover the stolen crown. “We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to Bangladesh. We express deep concern & urge the Government of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown & take action against the perpetrators,” the Indian High Commission stated in a post on X.
Historical and Religious Significance of Jeshoreshwari Temple
The Jeshoreshwari Temple, located in the Satkhira district of Bangladesh, is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, which are sites of great reverence in Hindu mythology. The temple’s name, “Jeshoreshwari,” means “Goddess of Jeshore.” According to Hindu tradition, the temple marks the spot where the palms and soles of Goddess Sati’s feet fell, and the goddess is worshipped there as Devi Jashoreshwari.
The temple is believed to have been constructed in the latter part of the 12th century by a Brahmin named Anari, who built a 100-door shrine. It was later renovated by Lakshman Sen in the 13th century and rebuilt by Raja Pratapaditya in the 16th century.
The stolen crown adds another layer of urgency, as it not only carries spiritual importance but also serves as a token of goodwill between India and Bangladesh, gifted by Prime Minister Modi during his visit.
