For centuries, these sacred artefacts stood as silent witnesses to Tamil Nadu's rich spiritual and cultural history. Then, they disappeared from the temples they once called home. Now, after years of investigations and international cooperation, three priceless Chola-era treasures are finally making their journey back to India.
The return of these historic artefacts marks an important milestone in preserving India's cultural heritage. The repatriation was announced following the India-Australia Summit during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, where both nations reaffirmed their commitment to protecting and returning culturally significant objects to their rightful homes.
Among the artefacts returning to Tamil Nadu are a beautifully carved stone idol of Nandi, Lord Shiva's sacred bull and devoted companion; a rare ceremonial trident adorned with Goddess Bhadrakali, representing divine protection and the triumph of good over evil; and a remarkable stone sculpture of Lord Murugan, also known as Shanmukha, depicted with six faces symbolising wisdom, courage and divine strength.
Australia to repatriate Indian artefacts- metal Trident with image of Goddess Bhadrakali, stone idol of Nandi and stone idol of six-headed Kartikeya pic.twitter.com/NfXc03v85a
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2026
These centuries-old treasures were previously housed at the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Their return comes after investigations led by the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing CID successfully established their origins and confirmed that they once belonged to ancient temples in Tamil Nadu.
The stone sculpture of Nandi and the ceremonial Bhadrakali trident originally belonged to the historic Sri Kasiviswanathaswamy Temple in Kollumangudi and are believed to date between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Equally significant is the stone idol of Lord Murugan, which originated from the Naganathaswamy Temple in Manambadi, Thanjavur. Built during the reign of the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I in the early 11th century, the temple remains an important reminder of the Chola dynasty's remarkable architectural and artistic legacy.
More than religious artefacts, these sculptures represent centuries of Tamil craftsmanship, devotion and history. Every intricate carving reflects the extraordinary skill of Chola artisans whose works continue to be admired around the world.
The return of these artefacts also highlights the growing global effort to reunite cultural treasures with the communities and temples they were taken from. For many devotees and historians, their homecoming represents not only the restoration of sacred objects but also the restoration of a part of Tamil Nadu's identity.
As part of the same agreement, India will also repatriate the ancestral remains of an Australian First Nations individual currently housed at the Government Museum in Chennai. The remains are believed to have reached India in the 1930s through an anthropological exchange.
The reciprocal exchange reflects a shared commitment between both countries to honour history, respect cultural heritage and ensure that sacred objects and ancestral remains are returned to the communities to which they rightfully belong.
For Tamil Nadu, this is more than the return of three ancient artefacts.
It is the return of history, faith and a legacy that has waited centuries to come home.
Source / Image Credit : Times Of Now , Times India , ANI ,ddnews_official