Gold ornaments found in temple

TUMKUR: The taluk administration in Sira discovered valuables, including silver and gold ornaments, at Sri Lakshmiranganatha Swami and Sri Malleshwaraswami Temple in Ojugunte village on Wednesday. About 30 kg of gold and silver ornaments kept in a pit inside the temple were removed.Denying that the valuables were ancient ones, official sources said these ornaments were donated by devotees.The temple does not fall under the Muzrai Department, and so the taluk administration did not pay much attention to the temple. However, with the annual fair approaching, the residents of the village demanded the opening of the temple following which officials led by tahsildar Nagahanumaiah took action.Speaking to Express, Nagahanumaiah said, “As the temple will not come under the government’s purview, we sought instruction from the Deputy Commissioner.”