Bogra:At least four statues and other priceless antiques, found in the recently discovered Shiva temple that was built in 1213 AD, at Pirapat village in Khaloo Upazila reportedly went missing some time Friday night.(The Daily Star )

Officials at the Archaeology Department and local people said some miscreants might have entered the temple Friday night by cutting an 18-foot-long tunnel. The Hindu devotees last said their prayers at the temple on Thursday.


Regional Archaeology Office sources said higher authorities have been informed of the incident and requested to declare the site protected for a preliminary excavation.

The department is going to declare the temple of Lord Shiva a protected site soon, according to the field officer of the department.

Thana Nirbahi Officer of Khaloo Upazila Shafiqul Islam told The Daily Star that if the department fails to declare the site protected, the local authorities would take up steps to excavate the site to meet the local people's curiosity.


The Archaeology Department officials said the temple might have links to Jogirbhaban, a previously discovered archaeological site close to Pirapat. It is said that a Zamindar, Dhyan Sing Goswami, used to say his prayers regularly in the temple. The local people believe that there was an old temple under the highland. Accordingly, Hindu devotees used to make offerings of cow's milk every Thursday.

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Photo Caption :
Curious people flock to see a tunnel of an about 800 years old temple discovered recently at Kahalu in Bogra district. PHOTO: STAR