Kirati temple and Christian statue vandalised

KalimNews, 28 May 2015: In two different incident a Kirati Mangkhim and a Statue of Mother Mary were vandalised by miscreants in Mirik and Kurseong respectively.

According to an information received, the Kirati Mangkhim of Mirik was vandalised and robbed last night. The late night burglary has rendered some destruction upon the property itself. The miscreants broke in through the door and stole the donation box among other things.

The Mangkhim, Kirati temple was established in 1990 and was one of its kind in the entire Darjeeling district. Its premises also hold the first Yalambar statue in India. Yalamber is the Kirati Rai king.

While the miscreants are still at large, the police have been informed but we require a swift response by the administration regarding this matter, stated Binita Khambu Rai General Secretary of Kirati Khmabu Rai Sanskritik Sansthan.

This has hurt the sentiments of the Khambu community of Darjeeling and we hope that the people who committed this crime be brought to justice said Mrs. Rai.

Mangkhims hold great importance to the Kirati people. Their faith and their way of life is attached to this temple that is considered to be the source of all ancestral blessings. It is a heinous crime to vandalise and rob it and such audacity must never go unpunished, added Mrs Rai.

In Kurseong the Grotto " Pavitra Mata Maria - Yatree haru ko Rakcheka'" (Holy Mother Mary-Protector of travelers) was vandalised last night.

The holy statue of Holy Mother Mary was broken into two half and the glass protecting the statue was completed shattered . The unfortunate incident has hurt deeply the sentiment and feelings of the people and the Catholic Community at large.

The Grotto near whistle khola (Hussel khola), is a prayer place for the people of all communities and specially all the passengers who make their journey in and out every day, to all the vehicle drivers who seek blessings and protection while they drive their vehicle,for young and old who visit this holy place beginning from 3;30 a,m to late evening and light candles, said a FB statement of Saint John Berchman's Catholic Welfare Association, St.Marys Hill.

The local administration sung into action after the ugly incident was reported and met the Parish Priest and the leaders of the Lay catholic organisation and now are after the culprits who vandalised the Holy place.