A three-hundred-year-old idol of Hindu deity Laxminarayan astride their vehicle Garuda has been stolen from Patan Durbar Square Thursday night, Kantipur daily reported.

The gold-coated idol was placed above a traditional water tap (dhungedhara) located at the centre of Sundari Chok in the Durbar area.

A staff working for Patan Durbar Square said, the idol could have been stolen as it was very attractive.

Even the picture of the idol used to sell for a high price, said Saraswati Singh, chief of the caretaking department of the Patan Durbar Square.  Some people used to come to Patan Durbar Square just to see this idol.

According to Singh, the idol was smuggled through one of the windows of the Durbar which is being renovated. The shrine is being renovated since last month.

Singh said, she had latched all windows and locked all doors after office hours on Thursday, but found one of the windows ajar the next morning.

The 6 inch by 9 inch idol was made by the orders of erstwhile king of Patan Siddhi Narsingh Malla about 300 years ago.

Singh remembers, about 16 idols including those of Mahishashur, Madini and Toran were stolen 30 years ago.  The idol stolen this time is even more valuable.

Police is investigating on the incident. nepalnews.com

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