Radha-Krishna Idols Recovered: Dehli Village in Raebareli Celebrates with Grand Welcome

Raebareli, UP: A wave of joy and devotion swept through Dehli village in Raebareli district as stolen idols of Radha and Krishna were recovered and returned to the local temple. Villagers welcomed the idols with music, flower garlands, and chants of “Radhe-Radhe” and “Jai Shri Krishna.”

The idols, made of an alloy of brass and bronze, had been stolen on the night of 23 January from the village temple in the Shivgarh police jurisdiction. The next morning, the temple priest, Ganga Prasad, discovered the broken lock and empty sanctum, leaving the villagers shocked and saddened. The theft had struck a deep emotional chord in the community.

Following a formal complaint, the Shivgarh police registered a case and launched an investigation. Villagers also began searching for the idols independently. On Wednesday morning, the stolen idols were discovered near a roadside in Nabi Pur village, under the Loni Katra police jurisdiction in Barabanki district. The idols were handed over to Shivgarh police, who returned them to the temple in the presence of local devotees.

Grand Procession and Celebrations
A jubilant procession with a DJ was organized from Bhavanigarh Chowk, with villagers chanting religious slogans as the idols were brought back to the village. Many locals described the return as a divine miracle, reinforcing faith and devotion in the community.

Change of Attire Sparks Discussion
Interestingly, when the idols were stolen, Radha and Krishna were adorned in red garments, but upon recovery, their clothes were a light green shade resembling radium. This change has sparked lively discussions among villagers. The idols are traditionally paraded through the village in a palanquin every year on the second day of Holi.

Villagers recalled a similar incident in 2013, when the idols were stolen and recovered after 14 months. The safe return of the idols this time has strengthened the faith and unity of the village community.

Shivgarh Station Officer Rajiv Singh confirmed that the idols were examined and are now back with the temple priest. After proper rituals and ceremonies, the idols will be reinstated in the temple for regular worship.