'Antique idols, gold ornaments' found during excavation at Baba Akhandalamani temple priest's house

Several rare idols and ornaments have allegedly been recovered after some excavation work at the house of Rabi Narayan Mishra, a priest of Baba Akhandalmani temple in Bhadrak.

Sources said that the antique idols and ornaments, suspected to be gold, have been recovered inside a brass utensil. The utensil was recovered after a 15-ft hole was dug up inside the priest's house. The work was undertaken on the advice of a geologist after the priest experienced some mysterious activities at his residence.

The recovery has sparked a controversy as the priest has refuted claims of gold ornaments being recovered during the excavation process. The idols that have been found are made of brass, he said. Meanwhile, a lot of people alleged that property belongs to the temple and demanded the intervention of the administration.