In a remarkable discovery, the Aran Pani Trust (Virtue Service Seva Foundation) has successfully unearthed and restored an ancient Shiva Lingam, believed to be over a thousand years old, in Choladharam village near Srimushnam, Cuddalore district. The find has stirred enthusiasm among local villagers, who were unaware of the hidden treasure beneath their land, now revealed as a significant relic of their cultural and religious heritage.
The restoration, led by a group of dedicated youths from Thanjavur, is part of a broader initiative by the Aran Pani Trust aimed at reviving and preserving ancient Shiva Lingams across Tamil Nadu. Their efforts have been widely appreciated by the locals, with many praising their work as “a significant contribution to preserving Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural and religious history.” The discovery occurred after reports indicated that the Lingam was buried deep within the soil, nestled among trees. Upon learning of its existence, the group immediately began excavating and carefully restoring the ancient relic.
Community participation played a vital role in the success of this initiative. Local volunteers and heritage enthusiasts came together to ensure the safe restoration of the Shiva Lingam, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in preserving historical monuments. The restored Shiva Lingam has drawn widespread appreciation, with devotees flocking to the site to offer prayers, and historians hailing it as a key achievement in the ongoing revival of Tamil Nadu’s sacred sites.
This discovery is not an isolated incident. Tamil Nadu has a history of uncovering ancient idols and stone statues during construction or temple renovation projects. In Srimushnam, where the famous Bhu Varaha Swamy temple is located, the region is known for its spiritual significance, with the temple being one of the eight Vishnu temples that are self-manifested (Swambumurthy) rather than man-made.
In recent years, similar finds have occurred across Tamil Nadu. Four years ago, a Shiva Lingam was discovered near the eastern shore of Rameswaram’s Ramanathaswamy temple. Buried among coral, the Lingam became an immediate site of pilgrimage, with devotees offering prayers. Two years ago, another 1,000-year-old Shiva Lingam was unearthed from agricultural land near the confluence of the Kudakanaru and Amaravathy rivers. That Lingam, believed to belong to a centuries-old temple that had been buried due to natural disasters, also became a focal point for local worshippers.
The case of Kandasamy, a farmer from Tamil Nadu, is particularly striking. He claimed to have received a divine vision in which he saw a Shiva Lingam buried beneath his ancestral land. Encouraged by his dream, Kandasamy sought the assistance of local devotees, or Sivanadiyars, who helped him excavate the site. To their astonishment, they uncovered a five-foot-tall Shiva Lingam along with the idol of Nandi Bhagwan, drawing large crowds of devotees to the area.
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