Kollur: On Jan.1 2014 a lot many devotional services were performed and gifts presented to goddess Mookambika by local National and International pilgrims who took wows for fevers from the Deity and performed ‘Thulabharam’ (items as weighty as once body) and other services were conducted by the temple administration. However, a temple worker named Narayan Puranik coaxed one of the devotees to present 10 silver bars along with his Thulabharam in sugar, and when the sugar was transferred to temple store room, the silver bars were stealthily taken to Puranik’s home by himself. All this happening at the temple during Thulabharam had been watched by another employee who immediately reported the matter the chief trusty Krishna Prasad Adyanthaya and CEO, L S Maruti on Jan.2.

The administrators loss no time in asking Narayan to bring the silver bars from his home as they were presents made to Deity. Narayan Puranik obliged as per instructions but was suspended from duty on Jan.3 for his default in taking the 10 silver bars to his home without any permission.