We are revealing today an important clue that expands the scope of this investigation and provides possible leads to a larger loot. It was widely reported in the press on the seizure of the Chandikeshwara bronze ” The image of Chandikeshwara (a form of Siva) in a standing posture has a strong similarity to the picture of the idol of the Sundareswara temple in Ariyalur, available with the French Institute of Pondicherry”
The photos of the seized bronzes were also publised
However, we have now done a detailed study of the archive photo from the institute and can now confidently say that they are defintely not the same. Below is the analysis.
The Ornamentation, styles are analysed in depth below
So the larger question now is two fold.
Where is the Suthamalli Chandikeshwara ?
and more importantly how do we find this new looted temple from where this new Chandikeswara seized by ICE hails from ?
தொடர்ந்து சிலைகளைத் திருட்டுக் கொடுத்துவிட்டு அறநிலையத் துறை என்ன தான் செய்கிறதோ! 🙁
It is very sad to see our temple idols stolen from temples. For the sake of money, the insiders are helping Kapoor like persons. If TN govt fails to protect our idols, then approaching court on strict enforcement of photography of idols in temples by HRCE is the only way to curb this.
Chandikeshwara is one of the 63 Nayanmars.
There is no proper maintenance by temple authorities on idols. The idols are looked as money giving stones only. If it goes like this no one is needed to steal it , it will get damaged automatically. All the priests and temple officials should be made responsible for any problems.
Local people should come forward and protect our marvelous architectural beauties.