CHENNAI: Oxford University in London has agreed to repatriate the Thirumangai Alwar Bronze Idol that was illegally removed from a temple in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu between 1957 to 1967 and is currently at the Ashmolean Museum at the university. Efforts are underway to bring this idol to Tamil Nadu within a month's time, the Idol Wing CID said.
The issue came to light in 2020 when Idol Wing CID registered a case based on specific information regarding the theft of four valuable idols from the Soundararaja Perumal Temple in Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district between the years 1957 and 1967.
The stolen idols are the Thirumangai Alwar bronze idol, Kaalinga Nartha Krishnar, Vishnu, and Sridevi. These idols were illegally sold by unknown idol traffickers and smuggled abroad. At present, only replicas of these four idols are used for worship at the temple, the Idol Wing CID said.
Inquiries revealed that the Thirumangai Alwar bronze idol was found to have been purchased by the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford University, London, in 1967. While the three others were located in various museums across the United States of America. The idol wing team compiled convincing and indisputable evidence and have sent them to the relevant authorities in the countries where these idols are currently located.
Following this, a representative from the university was sent as a part of the verification process to conduct a "due diligence" visit. After analyzing the evidence, the representative was convinced that the idol originally belonged to the temple.
The representative then submitted a detailed report to the higher authorities at the university which accepted the fact that the Thirumangai Alwar Bronze Idol had been illegally removed from the temple.
In a recent communication to the Idol Wing CID, Oxford University has expressed its commitment to repatriating the idol back to India. They have also promised to cover all the costs associated with transferring the idol from London to India, ensuring that it can be returned to the temple for worship.
The Idol Wing CID said that the efforts are underway to bring the other three idols Kaalinga Nartha Krishnar, Vishnu, and Sridevi back to the temple.