Valuable statues of the Buddhist goddess were stolen from the Kharkhorum museum on Sunday night between May 19th and 20th. Kharkhorum museum is located at one of the most ancient monasteries found in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu in Uvurkhangai aimag. The Uvurkhangai Police Department reported that seven handmade Buddhist goddess statues including a 22.8 kg body and base with a gold setting of Duinkhor goddess, a 1.595 kg brass and gilded with gold Jugdernamjil and a 1.230 kg brassware and gilded with gold Maidar goddess were stolen. These Buddhist goddess belong to the unique cultural heritage of Mongolia. Police are investigating the theft of these culturally unique and priceless heritages that are from the 18th century.

According to the Police report there were four Maidar goddesses, one Duinkhor goddess and one Judgernamjil goddess, and a Manzushir goddess among the seven stolen Buddhist goddess. Police have announced a reward for information that will help them to find the thief and warned about the illegal trade of unique cultural heritages. 

The Head of the Press Center of the General Police Agency, Major B.Baatarkhuu spoke about the incident at Kharkhorum museum that was broken into. It has not been estimated how much the stolen items are worth. The Uvurkhangai Police Department has initiated an investigation over the incident and shielded the monastery museum. The suspect is being searched for.

Kharkhorum museum at Erdene Zuu monastery was built in accordance with the Government decision 271 in 2009. The museum that was built with the support of the Mongolia-Japan friendship and financed by the two governments opened in September, 2010.

The museum founded in the ancient city Kharkhorum of the Mongol Empire that occupied half of the world was designed to feature the history of the ancient city, promote the ancient city`s history and culture and its cultural heritage.