Trichy: 17 idols unearthed in Tamil Nadu

TRICHY: A total of 17 idols belonging to Hindu temples believed to be buried to safeguard them from invasion were unearthed while a dead tree was dug out of an agriculture field with an earthmover in Peraiyur near Thirumayam of Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
Dr M Rajamanikkanar, director, Centre for Historical Research, said these cluster of idols belonged to a single temple and might have been buried to safeguard them at the time of invasions.
Though officials from the archaeology department are yet to see the idols, epigraphist and researcher R Kalaikkovan identified them as the Chola era bronze idols dating back to 10th century AD.
The idols were unearthed from a land owned by one Muthaiah. The owner passed on the message to revenue officials as more idols kept dropping out when he dug deeper.
A total of 17 idols have been unearthed and experts believe that there could be more lying underneath. The location of the find is a few hundred metres away from Naganathaswamy temple belonging to 14-15 century AD. Officials from the revenue department have recovered the idols and handed them over to the treasury.
Significant among the idols are that of Natarajar, Umaiannai, Tirusulathevar, Chandeswarar, Pillayar, Kaalinganarasimhar and Gnanasambandar (Saivite saint).
It is clear from the posture, dress and jewellery pattern of the idols that they belonged to Chola era. Speaking to TOI, A M V Subramanyam, ASI Chennai circle superintending archaeologist, said a team would be sent from Chennai to study the idols to ascertain its age.