It was more than an auspicious Friday for residents and devotees in and around Pazhayaseevaram village near Kancheepuram when an ‘Amman’ idol was recovered from the Palar river bed. The idol was recovered by sand miners who were quarrying in the dry Palar river bed. This is the fourth idol recovered in the district in the past few weeks, sources said. However, the Archaeological department, though informed about the recovery, is yet to take them over for further examination and the idols are lying with the local authorities.
Once the news reached religious regulars, who throng temples through the month of Aadi, offering special pujas to various ‘Ammans’, they rushed to the spot and offered prayers to the newly recovered idol.
When labourers were mining sand about 20 kilometres away Kancheepuram, they came across a big piece of rock in the river bed. Removing the sand, the labourers were surprised to see that it was actually a 3.5 feet long ‘Amman’ idol in a standing position — the idol’s face was slightly damaged.
Upon receiving information, Kancheepuram tahsildar Paneerselvam rushed to the spot and recovered the statue. Taking it to the taluk office, information was also passed on to the Archaeological department.
Sources also told City Express that a Sivalinga statue and a statue of a sage were recovered a few weeks back from Cheyyar river in Kavanthandalam village.
Also, ten months ago, an idol of Lord Venkateswara was recovered from the bed of river Vegavathi near Thaamal.
The idols that were recovered were brought to the respective taluk offices. Though information about these recovered idols have been passed on to the archaeological department, officials are yet to respond nor recover them from the local authorities. Only if the idols are taken back, can they be protected from theft or further harm. “Only the archeological department can determine exactly how old the idols are and what their origin is,” said a source.
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