Pudukottai: In a surprising discovery, residents of Melapulavankadu village in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district unearthed a massive stone Shivling while desilting a tank on October 21. The four-foot-tall lingam, weighing approximately one tonne, was found partially buried and has sparked excitement among local villagers, who believe it to be several hundred years old.
குளத்தில் புதையுண்டு கிடந்த பழமையான 300 கிலோ எடை கொண்ட லிங்கத் திருமேனி… ஜே.சி.பி மூலம் தோண்டியெடுக்கப்பட்ட லிங்கத்துக்குப் பூஜை செய்து வழிபட்ட மக்கள்..500 ஆண்டுகள் பழமையானதா?#Pudukottai | #LingamStatue | #Devotional | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/qVmBh5uBBI
— Polimer News (@polimernews) October 22, 2024
The Shivlinga was first spotted by villagers while they were clearing the tank, which is under the control of the Public Works Department (PWD). Upon discovering the partially visible lingam, the villagers immediately informed local revenue officials. The authorities, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at the scene and deployed a backhoe loader to carefully extract the lingam from the tank. It was subsequently taken to the Pudukottai taluk office, where it is currently being stored inside a strong room.
Ancient Shiva Lingam found while digging agricultural land in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu.
But, but Tamil Nadu is Periyar land😓 pic.twitter.com/Oa8Lo5YNvn
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Revenue officials, including RDO Iswaraya and Tehsildar Barani, inspected the Shivaling and documented its features. According to local sources, the villagers have requested that the recovered Shivlinga be returned to them, as they intend to build a temple around it and begin conducting daily poojas. Panchayat President Satish also submitted a formal request to the revenue department, emphasizing that the murti was discovered in their village and should remain in their possession.
முருகன் சன்னதியில் நடந்த அதிசயம்.. திருப்பணிகளுக்காக பழைய கருங்கற்களை அகற்றும்போது ஆச்சரியமடைந்த பணியாளர்கள்.. சொக்கநாதர் சுவாமி கோவிலில் நடந்தது என்ன..?#Cuddalore | #Panruti | #ArulmiguSokkanathaSwamyTemple | #Devotees | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/uNN4FppZtR
— Polimer News (@polimernews) October 21, 2024
The discovery of the Shivling has drawn widespread attention, as many locals believe it could be hundreds of years old, potentially tied to the village’s ancient heritage. Speaking to the media, a local resident remarked, “This is a symbol of our village’s cultural and religious history, and we hope to preserve it by constructing a temple for worship.”
In a similar incident that took place recently in Varapur village, a 50-year-old farmer named Arumugam uncovered a semi-visible Shivlingam while digging his land to build a varappu (embankment). Upon finding the ancient idol, Arumugam halted the digging operation and shared the information with fellow villagers. Revenue and police officials were notified and soon arrived at the site. The villagers of Varapur, like those in Melapulavankadu, have expressed their wish to retain the idol and build a temple for its worship.
These incidents have brought to light the rich historical and religious heritage in Tamil Nadu, where ancient idols are often discovered during excavation or construction projects. A related event occurred just weeks ago in Cuddalore district, where authorities inspected an underground chamber discovered at the 500-year-old Chokkanathar Temple in Naduveerapattu. While renovating the temple in preparation for its consecration, workers found a hidden mud-walled room measuring five feet in height, 11 feet in length, and six feet in breadth. Though no artifacts or idols were found inside, officials believe the chamber may have been used to store sacred items during periods of Muslim invasions centuries ago.
Another recent and significant discovery was made by the Aran Pani Trust, also known as the Virtue Service Seva Foundation, in the Choladharam village near Srimushnam in Cuddalore district. The organization successfully unearthed and restored a Shivalinga believed to be over a thousand years old. Buried deep in the soil amidst trees, the ancient lingam was discovered by the trust’s volunteers, who immediately began restoration efforts. The group’s work has been widely praised by locals, with one resident stating, “Their dedication to preserving Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural and religious history is commendable.”
பழமையான சிவலிங்கம் மீட்பு#Cuddalore #TamilNadu #Chanakyaa
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The Aran Pani Trust has been involved in several initiatives aimed at reviving and protecting historic Shiva Lingams across Tamil Nadu. Their efforts are part of a broader mission to safeguard the state’s religious heritage and ensure that these sacred idols are preserved for future generations.
Instances of uncovering ancient idols during construction or renovation are not uncommon in Tamil Nadu. Many of these idols, made from panchaloga (a five-metal alloy) or stone, have been discovered at construction sites or temple premises. The state is home to a vast number of historic temples and religious structures, and the discovery of such artifacts highlights the enduring cultural and spiritual significance of these places.
