India’s ancient civilisation is a treasure trove of unparalleled artistic and spiritual heritage, but for centuries, countless invaluable religious murtis and cultural relics were plundered, smuggled, or illicitly exported, finding their way into museums, private collections, and auction houses across the globe. These aren’t just inanimate objects; for millions, they are living deities, sacred symbols, and tangible links to a rich and unbroken spiritual lineage. The loss of these artifacts has represented a profound dismemberment of India’s cultural soul, a historical wound that resonates deeply with its people.
However, in a monumental shift, India has launched an unprecedented, vigorous campaign to reclaim its stolen heritage. Through a blend of strong diplomatic efforts, meticulous investigative work, and a renewed political will, the nation is successfully retrieving these invaluable treasures from around the world. This is more than just an act of repatriation; it is a restoration of national pride, a reaffirmation of civilisational values, and a powerful statement to the world that India is resolutely committed to protecting its sacred past and reclaiming what rightfully belongs to its cultural consciousness. Each returned idol, every recovered relic, marks a victory in this ongoing mission to heal historical injustices and ensure that future generations can connect with their authentic heritage.
This report chronicles 10 significant events between 2014 and 2025 where India successfully reclaimed its stolen religious murtis and cultural relics from various parts of the world. Each instance highlights dedicated diplomatic and investigative efforts to restore India’s rich heritage.
These successful repatriations include significant artifacts such as Buddha relics, a 500-year-old Tamil murti, over 1,400 artifacts from the US, and the iconic 10th-century Annapurna idol, along with valuable pieces from the 11th-century Chola dynasty. Each returned item represents a crucial symbolic and cultural victory, underscoring India’s unwavering commitment to preserving its rich heritage and religious legacy.
Sacred Buddha relics return to India after 127 years
On July 31, 2025, a momentous event unfolded as 349 jewels of the Buddha, known as the Piprahwa relics, were successfully returned to India after 127 years. These invaluable relics, estimated to be worth over USD100 million, were originally excavated in the late 19th century and had surfaced at a Hong Kong auction. Following significant international attention, the auction was called off, and the Indian government’s swift intervention led to their rightful repatriation. These relics hold immense religious and historical significance for Buddhists worldwide.
Oxford University to return 500-year-old Tamil murti
In a major victory for India’s heritage reclamation efforts, Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum announced on November 29, 2024, its agreement to repatriate a 16th-century bronze idol of Saint Tirumankai Alvar to India. This idol, stolen from a Tamil Nadu temple in the 1960s, was successfully traced thanks to the collaborative efforts of the India Pride Project and the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing. After a thorough investigation, the museum formally acknowledged the idol’s origin and confirmed its return, marking another significant step in restoring India’s stolen cultural wealth.
Massive return from the US: Over 1,400 artifacts recovered
On November 17, 2024, in a monumental victory against art trafficking, the US returned over 1,400 stolen Indian artifacts valued at a staggering USD10 million. These culturally profound items, spanning various time periods and regions, were recovered through relentless investigations into illicit art networks, underscoring India’s unwavering commitment to reclaiming its rich and ancient heritage.
Dancing Krishna murti returns home from Bangkok
A poignant moment arrived on August 24, 2024, as an 800-year-old bronze idol of Dancing Krishna, brazenly stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu, was successfully recovered and returned to India from Bangkok. The dedicated efforts of the Idol Wing CID of Tamil Nadu Police were instrumental in tracing this sacred idol, identified as originating from the Shri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple in Vaduvur, thus restoring a piece of divine history to its rightful abode.
Global co-operation brings back centuries-old figurines and pristine murtis
January 18, 2024, marked another significant triumph as countries like the US and Australia repatriated numerous figurines and ancient idols dating back to the 10th to 16th centuries. These invaluable artifacts, once illegally trafficked abroad, are now making their way back to their original temples. The returned collection includes rare and spiritually significant deities such as Dwarapala, Nataraja, Kankalamurti, Kadayam, Nadikeswara Kadayam, Four-armed Vishnu, Sri Devi, Siva-Parvati, Child Sambandar, and Standing Child Sambandar, reaffirming India’s resolve to protect its civilisational legacy.
Goddess Annapurna’s sacred return from the UK
On Makar Sankranti, January 15, 2022, a 10th-century stone murti of Goddess Annapurna, stolen over a century ago and later found in England, made its sacred return to India. This idol, holding immense religious and cultural significance and originally from Varanasi, was ceremoniously handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India, signifying a profound reconnection with our ancient spiritual roots.
18th-century Annapurna murti restored to Kashi Vishwanath Temple from Canada
A powerful symbol of enduring faith, an 18th-century murti of Goddess Annapurna, originally taken from Varanasi during British rule, was joyously returned from Canada on November 2, 2021. The murti received a ceremonial welcome and is being rightfully reinstated in the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple, symbolising a reclamation of our spiritual sovereignty and historical dignity.
UK returns murtis of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita after over 40 years
On September 16, 2020, the UK returned three ancient murtis of Bhagwan Ram, Lakshman, and Sita, which were stolen from temples in Tamil Nadu in 1978. These culturally invaluable artifacts were handed over to Indian officials in London, marking a long-awaited homecoming and rectifying a historical injustice, reflecting global recognition of India’s rightful ownership of its heritage.
US repatriates antique Lingodhbhavamurti and Manjusri statues
The US once again demonstrated cooperation in heritage preservation on September 6, 2018, by repatriating two valuable antique statues: Lingodhbhavamurti and Manjusri. Each dating back over 1,000 years and estimated to be worth USD500,000, these idols, stolen from temples in Tamil Nadu, were handed over by US officials following the persistent efforts by Indian authorities to trace stolen heritage items, showcasing the power of sustained national endeavour.
Australian PM returns 11th-century Nataraj and Ardhanariswara idols
In a significant gesture of goodwill and cultural respect, the Australian prime minister, during his 2014 visit to India on September 5, 2014, personally returned two ancient Nataraj and Ardhanariswara idols. These artifacts, dating back to the 11th-century Chola dynasty and stolen from temples in Tamil Nadu, were handed over to the Indian Prime Minister, symbolizing a new era of international cooperation in reclaiming India’s priceless cultural wealth.
These numerous successful repatriations between 2014 and 2025 unequivocally demonstrate a new era of resolute action by the Indian government to reclaim its stolen civilisational heritage. From ancient Buddha relics and divine idols like Annapurna and Nataraja to thousands of invaluable artifacts, India is systematically and successfully retrieving treasures that were illicitly taken over centuries. Each return is not just a logistical achievement but a powerful symbolic victory, reaffirming India’s commitment to preserving its profound cultural and religious legacy. This concerted effort showcases a nation reasserting its rightful ownership over its past, ensuring that these sacred and invaluable symbols of identity are restored to their rightful place, enriching the spiritual and cultural fabric of the nation for future generations.
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