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Temple Theft.
Bhrihadeswara temple is a 800yr old Shiva Temple Sripuranathan Suthamalli, a village 60km south
of Trichy in Tamilnadu 30 km Gongaikonda Cholapuram,one of the capital city of Chola.This temple was abandoned by devotees over a rumors spread about a deadly
Temple Theft.
Bhrihadeswara temple is a 800yr old Shiva Temple Sripuranathan Suthamalli, a village 60km south
of Trichy in Tamilnadu 30 km Gongaikonda Cholapuram,one of the capital city of Chola.This temple was abandoned by devotees over a rumors spread about a deadly
Killer Bee living inside the temple.
Whatever may be the case many people fell ill. Government forced to sifted all the idols of the temple including the most precious one the "Nataraja Statue" dated back 11century to the Varadarajan Perumal Temple in neighbouring village .
Whatever may be the case many people fell ill. Government forced to sifted all the idols of the temple including the most precious one the "Nataraja Statue" dated back 11century to the Varadarajan Perumal Temple in neighbouring village .
The idols kept behind locked and a
were cared by the local village staff. In 2008 thieves broke the door and stole the staues. After two month when a priest open the temple,he found the idols were missing.A complain was filed.
were cared by the local village staff. In 2008 thieves broke the door and stole the staues. After two month when a priest open the temple,he found the idols were missing.A complain was filed.
Police were unable to search as there was no photograph of the misding was available.
At last help came from "The French Institute of Pondicherry"as it has chronicled most of the temple of South India & they have over I lakh photograph of temple architecture.
At last help came from "The French Institute of Pondicherry"as it has chronicled most of the temple of South India & they have over I lakh photograph of temple architecture.
They have visited Suthamalli and documented the icons few years before.
After a long investigation police found that the Nataraja Idol is present at National Art Gallary Australia.However National Gallery of Australia continued to deny that the art work is stolen one & refused
After a long investigation police found that the Nataraja Idol is present at National Art Gallary Australia.However National Gallery of Australia continued to deny that the art work is stolen one & refused
to Return it.
The Government of India in 2014 formally request the Australia govt for the return of the Nataraja under the UNESCO convection of Stolen antiquities .Finaly in september 2014 Australia Govt decide to returned it to India.
The Government of India in 2014 formally request the Australia govt for the return of the Nataraja under the UNESCO convection of Stolen antiquities .Finaly in september 2014 Australia Govt decide to returned it to India.
In November 2014 ,the Nataraja Idol was parade on the streets of Sripuranatham.
Now it is at the display of Govt. Museum Kumbakonam &will only be bought to Sripuratham once in a year for the annual festivities.
Now it is at the display of Govt. Museum Kumbakonam &will only be bought to Sripuratham once in a year for the annual festivities.
Source-
Tamilnadu Tourism Blog
Book -In The Name of God
Quest for Suthamali .
Google
Tamilnadu Tourism Blog
Book -In The Name of God
Quest for Suthamali .
Google
