After 42 years, stolen Radha-Krishna idols return to temple in Odisha

For the people of Sonepur, the day marks an occasion of immense joy and spiritual fulfilment as a 42-year-long chapter of pain and uncertainty is finally nearing its end. The revered idols of Radha-Krishna, along with 12 other ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy) idols, stolen from the historic Bada Gopalji Temple in 1983, are set to return to their rightful place.

The theft of the sacred idols had deeply shaken the town and left a lasting emotional void among devotees. Though the stolen idols were recovered a decade later in 1993 from Delhi Airport, they remained out of public worship for decades, preserved in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) storeroom in Bhubaneswar due to prolonged legal and procedural hurdles.

After years of relentless efforts and extended judicial proceedings, the long-awaited breakthrough came on December 10, 2025, when a court verdict finally cleared the way for the return of the idols, bringing the decades-long ordeal to a close.

Also Read: Centuries-old idols worth Rs 1 crore stolen from 500-year-old temple in Odisha’s Ganjam

As per the auspicious timing (lagna) declared today, the sacred idols will be taken out from the treasury and carried in a ceremonial procession through the town. The occasion will be marked by special religious rituals, spiritual discourses, and devotional programmes, with large participation expected from devotees.

The idols are scheduled to be ceremonially reinstalled at the Bada Gopalji Temple on February 2, following all prescribed rituals and traditions. Their return is being hailed as a historic and emotional moment, restoring not just the idols to the temple but also renewing the faith and spiritual heritage of the people of Sonepur.