Early Chola-period sculptures, inscriptions found on river bed

A mates of aboriginal Chola play sculptures of Dakshinamurthy and Vinadhara Shiva and inscriptions signaling donations of wealth and a portion of onshore to a temple person been recovered connected the Cauvery stream furniture adjacent Musiri successful Tiruchi district.

Researchers from Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, Tiruchi, led by its Director M. Kalaikkovan, inspected the sculptures and deciphered the inscription based connected accusation from villagers that immoderate ruined parts of a temple, sculptures, and an inscription could beryllium seen connected the furniture of the river. The squad included M. Nalini, Chief Epigraphist of the centre, and R. Akila, Professor of History, Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Musiri.

According to Dr. Kalaikkovan, somewhat damaged sculptures, recovered successful the mediate of a thorny bush connected the stream furniture astir 200 metres from its bund, could person been portion of a temple which had existed successful the vicinity.

“The Dakshinamurthi mightiness person been successful the southbound niche of the ruined temple and the sculpture Vinadhara Siva [depicting Shiva holding the veena] mightiness person been successful the precocious storey of the aforesaid temple. Both are meticulously carved and are comparable with the sculptures of Kuranganathar temple astatine Srinivasanallur, a adjacent village,” helium said.

Pokkanam, the celebrated container of ash, carried by Lord Shiva is seen successful 1 of the branches of the banyan histrion that spreads down the Lord. The thenar leaves that are expected to person the agamic contented are seen successful the near beforehand manus of the God. A beautifully carved Muyalakan is crushed nether close ft of Shiva.

Vinadhara Shiva holds the akshamala and a curled snake successful the backmost hands. The veena which is held by the beforehand hands is somewhat damaged. Both the sculptures are adorned with affluent ornaments.

Other architectural elements specified arsenic parts of pillars, extortion structures are seen scattered adjacent the chromatic slab with an inscription. “A immense Linga, which was recovered nearby, has been brought present and is being worshipped by the villagers now,” Dr. Kalaikkovan said.

Dr. Nalini said the chromatic slab astir measures 1.5 metres successful magnitude and 60 cm width and carries 2 Tamil inscriptions which could beryllium dated to the 10th period C.E. connected palaeographical grounds.

“The inscription begins with a ample trident with damaged letters connected either side. A definite idiosyncratic whose sanction and spot are mislaid successful the grounds had entrusted 120 kasu with the members of the sabha of Mahendramangalam to airy 2 perpetual lamps astatine a definite temple, whose sanction is besides lost,” she said pointing retired that Mahendramangalam is simply a colony that inactive exists successful Musiri taluk. The 2nd inscription recovered connected the broadside of the slab mentions astir a onshore talented to the temple “as a tax-free devadana (gift to the God),” she added.