7 months ago
2
A peculiar squad comprising officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and Tamil Nadu Idol Wing Police volition soon sojourn Singapore to taxable and process documents pertaining to 16 idols that went missing from temples successful the State. The idols see a statue of Lord Hanuman.
Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) P.K. Sekarbabu, who chaired a gathering of officials connected Wednesday, said that a akin squad would sojourn countries, including the U.S., the Netherlands, France, and Australia, wherever 76 idols missing from the State person been located.
The idol of Kannappa Nayanar — 1 of the Arubathimoovar Saivite Saints belonging to the Agneeswarar Temple successful Thirupugalur successful Nagapattinam territory — that went missing 15 years ago, has been traced to the Netherlands.
The idol helping stopped the auction of the idol six months ago, and person submitted indispensable documents to the Government of the Netherlands.
“The revered idol volition soon beryllium returned to our State,” tthe Minister said, adding that the Oxford University had agreed to instrumentality the idol of Thirumangai Alwar from its Ashmolean museum.
Till September 30, 2025, a full of 440 artefacts, including 239 metallic idols, 98 chromatic idols, 4 maragatha lingams, and paintings person been retrieved done the associated efforts of the 2 departments.
“The Chief Minister is intent connected bringing backmost location the State’s past treasures. Of the 440 artefacts, 12 idols were retrieved from different countries, and 10 of those person been returned to the respective temples,” Mr. Sekarbabu said.
During the meeting, P.N. Sridhar, HR&CE Commissioner; Kalpana Nayak, ADGP, Idol Wing, and different officials were present.
