Gold ornaments and money looted from a temple in Chengam

The temple has been the target of burglaries as there have been many thefts on the premises in the last few years. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Thieves camped with gold ornaments and cash from the Hunds at the Vinayaka temple in Chengam town of Tiruvannamalai on Thursday.

At around 7 am, several sanitation workers alerted the temple authorities that the main lattice gate of the temple had been damaged. The temple authorities rushed to the temple and found that the lock of the sanctum sanctorum was broken. Gold ornaments and cash from the hundis were stolen.

Acting on a tip-off, the Chengam police searched the spot with the help of fingerprint experts and sniffer dogs. A case has been registered. CCTV footage of the route is also being analyzed to nab the suspects.

The temple has been the target of burglaries as there have been many thefts on the premises in the last few years. Police said the temple’s isolated location and lack of security measures may have been the reason for the regular thefts. Another probe is underway.

Published – 04 Sep 2026 0:14 IST