The Chola period 12th CE goddess Parvati idol stolen 50 years ago from TN retrieved from Bonham Auction House, New York

Navrang India December 01, 2023

 There is  no doubt since 1970 in the the  State  of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the the Delta districts of  Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai and Trichy the temples far removed from the towns have become targets by idol thieves and smugglers because a huge concentration of Hindu temples of antiquity occurs here across the land and many in remote villages. They possess richly made metal idols of alloys that go back to several centuries. In the last 2 decades incidences of idol theft have shown upward mobility because of inadequate safety precautions, Government inaction and indirect involvement of local Netas. 

stolen Parvati idol from TN firstpost.com

The idol of goddess Parvati: Tamil Nadu: This 12 th Century CE rare idol of Parvati, consort of God Shiva belonging to the Chola period went missing from the Nadanapureshwarar Sivan temple in 1971(then undivided composite Thanjavur district). The idol, which measures about 52cm in height, made of copper-alloy for strength and durability was one among five idols missing from the temple. The idol is valued at US$ 2,12,575 (about Rs 1.68 crore). Image Courtesy: @jayantimuraliips/Twitter.

Parvati or Uma as the Goddess is commonly known in South India shown  in standing position  seen wearing a crown, called a karanda mukuta of piled rings diminishing in size and culminating in a lotus bud.  A crown of rings is  kept atop each other and  patterns in the crown are repeated in the necklaces, armbands, girdle and garment, enhancing the bronze texture. 

This type of artistic work on the idol of an Hindu deity is itself a proof  how the artisans of Chola era (10th Century to the 13th Century  had a good knowledge of chemistry   and metallurgy involved in idol making and how dexterous they were in shaping and giving final touch to the cast  idols using specific working hand tools.

Kumbakonam location, Tamil Nadu.researchgate.ne

Nadanapureshwarar Sivan temple near kumbakonam. favtourism.blogspot.com

Above image: Thandanthottam is a small isolated village about 12  km  ki south of kumbakonam near Raghu sthalam, Thirunageswaram

Here, lord shiva gave pradosha dance darshan to a large number of devas so this place is called thiru Thaandava thottam which eventually became Thandanthottam. It was built in the 9th century an by the  pallava rulers. Parvati idol had been missing from the Nadanapureshwarar Sivan temple since 1971,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The 12th Century idol of Hindu goddess Parvati was found at the famous Bonhams Auction House, a privately owned international auction house with  headquarters in London. From here the  idol was taken to the US. The idol wing of TN upon police complaint
by a temple trustee about the missing Chola idol  took vigorous step and finally traced it back to Bonham's New York Auction house. India is  entitled to claim ownership of the idol as it  is a party to UNESCO'S World Heritage Convention, 1972," they said 

Chola period" time-honored techniques are to some extend being followed by the Sthapatis of Swamimalai and Nachiyar Kovil towns which are centers of brass idols of deities and brass lamps making.