Thieves ransack temple again

DESPITE security upgrades and the installation of an alarm system with rapid response, thieves broke into the Sivya Nyana Temple on the corner of Nulliah and Chetty roads in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, for the second time in a year and made off with ceremonial items, including a holy lamp.

Temple chairman Siven Pillay said more than R40 000 of goods, including brass items, gas stoves and cylinders used by the temple, were stolen on Saturday at around 11pm.

“All the copper pipes and taps in the building were taken,” said Pillay.

The stolen brassware included trays, ceremonial tall lamps and the holy lamp.

They tried to steal a brass deity of Lord Nataraja, but it was too heavy to carry.

Pillay said the Nataraja was consecrated by a swami from Chennai, Sri La Sri Pandrimala Swamigal, who fasted for 108 days and came to South Africa in 1976, when he fasted for a further 21 days.

Pillay said their security company was alerted when the alarm was triggered. They found the burglar gates to the dining hall wrenched open. The thieves got into the hall and temple by cutting a hole through an inter-leading door.

Pillay said more than R70 000 of sound equipment, musical instruments and other valuables were taken in the first break-in.

He has appealed for donations to replace the brassware and stolen goods.

He can be contacted on 084 468 1660.