A 700-year-old idol of Dhroupathi Amman that was stolen from a temple in Madurai's Melur in 1915, was recovered from an old house recently. The idol was found hidden inside the wall of an old house of the man who stole the idol over 100 years ago.

According to a report in The Times of India, the 700-year-old idol was stolen by one of the two priests of the temple, identified as Karuppasamy.

The priest had stolen the idol after an argument with the other priest at the temple. A complaint was lodged with the British police force in 1915, reported The News Minute.

Now, Karuppasamy's grandson has taken it on himself to correct his grandfather's deed, which he believes has spelt doom on the family.

According to Murugesan, the 60-year-old grandson of the temple priest, ever since the idol was stolen over a century ago, several generations of the family have suffered. Many members of the family have apparently died because of the "wrath of the goddess", said the report.

Six months ago, Murugesan revealed the family secret and said that the idol was concealed in a wall in the house for all these years.

Murugesan came across the idol after he became suspicious of his grandfather, who would only pray in front of the wall where he hid the idol, said the reports.

The 1.5 feet idol has now been recovered from the wall and it will be handed to the temple during its annual festival next month.

The temple situated in Nagaikadai Street in Melur is over 800 years old.