How to steal the goddess' heart? Just steal

TO err is human, to steal is divine.

- RAGHOTTAM KOPPAR @Gadag

Not convinced? Come along 10 km from Gadag town on way to Bagalkote, you will find the temple of Dandina Durgamma, where you are not only forgiven for stealing but blessed for the very pious act.

Thousands of devotees from north Karnataka and neighbouring states of Maharashtra, AP and Telangana attend the week-long Dandin Durgamma fair, largely a tribal festival, held at the temple premises to receive the blessings of the goddess.

Now is your time to go and do some soul searching--the festival began on Tuesday and will continue for a week.

And try to hold on to your mobile phones, purses and jewellery.

These seem to be the favourite items of thieves at the fair.

For all that, there have been only a few complaints about stealing during the fair, said the local police.

The police, however, have cautioned devotees to safeguard their belongings during their visit to the temple.