Villagers made a surprising discovery in the Cooum river on Sunday. They found fifty stone idols near Pirinjivakkam village in Tiruvallur district. The state archaeology department has not examined these artifacts yet.
Villagers Stumble Upon Idols During Stroll
Some residents from the village went for a walk near the river. They accidentally came across the collection of idols. The village falls under the Kadambathur union area.
The idols included representations of several deities. Villagers identified figures of Vinayaka, Murugan, Ayyappan and Kali among the discoveries.
Idols Show Signs of Age But May Not Be Ancient
Elumalai, a local resident, shared his observations about the find. He said the idols do not appear particularly old. However, moss has grown on some of them.
The villagers retrieved the idols from the river. They immediately informed both the police and the panchayat administration about their discovery.
Authorities Secure Idols for Safekeeping
Revenue officials received information about the idols. They took custody of all fifty artifacts. The district administration ensured their protection.
Tiruvallur collector M Prathap confirmed the actions taken. He told reporters that officials secured the idols and locked them away safely. This temporary measure will protect them until experts can examine them properly.
Archaeology Department Must Determine Antiquity
Prathap explained the next steps in the process. The district administration informed the state archaeology department about the discovery. Experts from this department need to assess the idols' age and historical significance.
Only after this examination can authorities begin tracing the origins of these stone figures. The collector emphasized that proper investigation depends on the archaeology department's assessment.
Mystery Surrounds Idols' Origin
Officials shared their preliminary thoughts about how the idols ended up in the river. They do not suspect thieves dumped them there. The theory about theft seems unlikely to investigators.
Instead, authorities wonder if the idols came from a temple. Another possibility involves a sculptor abandoning imperfect work. The officials noted that the idols do not appear perfectly crafted.
The state archaeology department has not started its inspection yet. This delay means the mystery continues for now. Villagers and officials alike await answers about these fifty stone figures found in the Cooum river.
