Hyderabad, June 8 -- An idol of Goddess Vagdevi made of ashtadhatu, an alloy of eight metals, was covertly placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Saturday, June 6, prompting Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials to remove it later that evening.

According to local reports, the idol had been there for several hours before ASI staff discovered it. Flowers, akshat and other puja items found near the idol indicated that worship had been conducted at the spot. Authorities said they were yet to identify who brought the idol into the premises, when it was placed, and how it escaped notice for so long.

The incident has put a spotlight on security gaps at the sensitive protected ...