According to a report (June 2022) from OutLook magazine, 10 precious idols of Hindu deities stolen from various temples across Tamil Nadu by the culprits and idol smugglers over the years were returned to India. According to minister G. Kishan Reddy, the Ministry of Culture, and Tourism, New Delhi, they date as far back as to the 10th and16th centuries. In a handover ceremony held by the Ministry in New Delhi, it is said the idols were to be handed over to their rightful abodes in the presence of state ministers. The ministry claimed that between October 2021 and March 2020, almost 186 artefacts were retrieved, Returned from the USA and Australia after many legal battles and an array of investigations by the TN police and others, it is quite painful and unfortunate to note that these objects of worship and reverence by the Hindus were on display in the public museums there.
The entire credit goes to the Idol Wing Police of TN Government and the cooperation given by the Central ministry. But for their tedious and concerted efforts, the rare historical idols of Tamil Nadu won't've reached India and the state of Tamil nadu would have lost the treasures that carry the legacy of the Chola and Vijayanagara dynasties.
No doubt Chola and other dynasties of South India centuries ago excelled in nuances of metallurgy and metal idol production of superior quality and look. HR and CE Commissioner of R Jaya mentioned that according to records available with the department from 1992 to 2017, that 372 stone idols and 832 icons belonging to 387 temples were found stolen. Among the more than 30,000 temples, 11,512 temples have strong rooms and security gadgets.
Since Hindu idol smuggling is a money spinning and lucrative business, both central and state governments must impose severe fine plus imprisonment for a minimum period of 5 years for the violators. This may put a break on the nefarious activities of the local thugs, thieves and the professional smugglers.
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| retrieved from australia TN stolen idols magzter.com |
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| Dwarapala,TN.:iastoppers.com |
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| Nataraja idol, TN.iastoppers.com |
Nataraja,: Shiva, in pious cosmic dance form, was stolen from a room of Punnainallur Mariamman Temple just 8 km from Thanjavur city (Thanjavur district) dated back to the 11th or 12th century. It is under the Devasthanam (Maratha). Retrieved in 2021 from the US, here his posture is ananda tandava or the Dance of Bliss .The burglary occurred by breaking open the strong room in the temple in 2018
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| Nadikeswara stoppers.com |
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| stolen Kankala Murti stone idol, TN..iastoppers.com |
Kankala Murti: Retrieved in 2021 from the US, Kankala Murti is depicted as a fearsome aspect of Lord Shiva and Bhairava. The idol with 4 arms, each holding weapons, etc - damaru and trishul in the upper hands and a bowl and a trefoil shaped object, as a treat for the playful fawn, in the lower right hand. Datable to 12-13 CE, it was stolen from Narasinganadhar Swamy Temple, Tirunelveli in 1985....
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| Four-armed Vishnu:astoppers.com |
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| Shiva-Parvati idol from TN, Indiam.rediff.com |
Sri Devi, Siva-Parvati: This 11th and12th century (the later Chola period), bronze sculpture of Shiva and Parvati, from the Chola Period (860 -1279 CE), Tamil Nadu (15 x 12.25 x 6 inches), was sourced illegally from India under the direction of famous international notorious idol smuggler Kapoor(He is in jail now) He, in 2005 , sold the some 1,000-year-old idol to David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University, Indiana, USA with a false provenance for their artifact.
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| Deity Parvati TN iastoppers.com |
Goddess Parvati: Retrieved in 2021 from the US, this 11th century - Chola period idol is seen holding a lotus in the left hand whereas the right is hanging down near her kati. It was yet another rare idol stolen from Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Ariyalur in 2008....
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| Sambandar in standing posture, TNiastoppers.com |
Union minister G.K. Reddy said, 'The states will decide how and where their retrieved articles are displayed in museums.,” Earlier, told TNIE that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to return antiquities to the state,s and that unclaimed objects would be kept at the Gallery of Confiscated and Retrieved Antiquities in Purana Quila for public viewing.
https://www.outlookindia.com/travel/centuries-old-idols-find-their-way-back-to-its-roots-news-200108
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-62474010
https://www.iastoppers.com/articles/tamil-nadu-sculptures-recovered-from-australia-us
