10-08-2025
Retrieved Chola-era Ardhanarisvara sculpture to be on public display at Vriddachalam temple
A 1000-year-old stone sculpture of Ardhanarisvara, stolen from the Viruddhagireeswarar temple at Vriddachalam in Cuddalore district and later recovered from the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Australia, will soon be on public display at the temple premises. The antiquity dates back to the Chola period.
Once embedded in the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum, the Ardhanarisvara sculpture was removed in 2002 after being classified as 'pinnam' (damaged), according to an old report in The Hindu. A replica was installed in its place for worship.
Experts regard the original sculpture as a significant example of Chola artistry. It was kept within the temple premises before being stolen and passed into the hands of antique dealers. However, the theft was not reported to the police at the time, and the case came under investigation only after 11 years.
In 2013, The Hindu, in collaboration with heritage enthusiast S. Vijay Kumar, who helped to identify many stolen Indian artefacts abroad, and two investigative journalists based in the United States and Australia, revealed that the Ardhanarisvara sculpture was in Sydney.
The idol was brought back to India about a decade ago through the concerted efforts of the Indian government and the Idol Wing CID of the Tamil Nadu police. Official sources said the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, which administers the temple, kept the recovered idol in safe custody. Now, the temple authorities are planning to display the treasured sculpture to devotees and visitors.
