Nayagarh, May 1: A major theft was reported at Vaishno Devi Temple located at Jamukana Hill in Odisha’s Nayagarh district, where miscreants allegedly decamped with gold ornaments worth around Rs 40 lakh, a source said Friday.

The shrine, often referred to as a replica of the famed Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, attracts a steady flow of devotees and tourists every day.

According to the source, taking advantage of yesterday night's Nor'wester, the accused gained entry by cutting open the main gate and accessing the sanctum through a nearly 180-foot cave passage. The theft is believed to have taken place during a period of heavy rain and strong winds, when the power supply was disrupted, allowing the miscreants to exploit the situation.

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All gold ornaments adorning the deity were reportedly stolen. These ornaments had been donated over time by devotees and managed by the temple trust. The sanctum, once richly decorated, has now been left stripped of its valuables following the incident.

Despite the presence of security personnel, the theft was carried out by evading surveillance, raising serious questions over security arrangements at the site.

There is a speculation that those involved may have prior knowledge of the temple premises, though there has been no official confirmation so far.