Ancient Mahavira Idol Discovery in Tamil Nadu Village - News, 2025
- Shravani Deshmukh
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu: In a village called Vellala Kottaiyur, on the banks of Periya Kanmai in Pudukkottai district, a piece of Tamil Nadu's religious and artistic history has been discovered. Local villagers, while clearing land near an old tank bund, stumbled upon a stone idol that was buried beneath the soil. This finding has drawn the attention of many archaeologists.
26 July, 2025 - News from Tamil Nadu
The locals found a well-preserved 10th-century sculpture of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, carved from a single slab of stone. Mahavira is seen sitting in Padmasana (Lotus meditation posture) and his hands are folded in the renowned Dhyana Mudra (Hand gesture symbolizing meditation and enlightenment). Above him is carved a triple umbrella, also called Mukkudai symbolizing spiritual attainment. Also under the umbrella, a Prabhavalaya (Circular halo or aureole behind deities) appears behind him similar to other Hindu gods[1]
Measuring approximately 90 cm in height, nearly 50 cm in width and 26 cm in thickness, the sculpture is believed to date back to the Chola period, a time when Jainism flourished in the south alongside Saivism and Vaishnavism[2][3].
Dr. A. Manikandan, an archaeologist and founder of the Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum, visited the site shortly after the discovery was reported[4][1].
"This is a significant addition to the corpus of Jain sculptures in the region. The iconography and stylistic features suggest it was made during the 9th or 10th century CE, when Jain institutions and cave temples were prominent in this area" he said[1].
He also added that the location where it was found indicates that a Jain temple may have been present here at some point or it may have been relocated here.
Interestingly, the idol was not found in situ at a temple complex, but rather along a tank bund — which reminds us of how many ancient artifacts lie scattered and forgotten in Tamil Nadu's rural landscapes.
This is not the first time Jain artifacts have surfaced in Pudukkottai and surrounding districts. Earlier discoveries in nearby Siruganur and Andimalai have yielded both idols and inscriptions proving the presence of Jain communities in the region[5]. Tamil Nadu's landscape is enriched with rock-cut Jain beds, monastic shelters, and inscriptions dating back to the Sangam and post-Sangam periods.
Local residents were surprised by the findings, but religious sentiments took over quickly. Some offered flowers and lit lamps near the idol before authorities secured the site. Heritage activists have now urged the state archaeology department to declare the area a protected site and to conduct a systematic excavation.
"The sculpture is vulnerable where it currently stands. We need immediate conservation efforts before erosion or human interference causes damage," said a volunteer from the Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum[1].
The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology is expected to send a team to study the artifact's condition and historical context[6]. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to shift the idol to a local museum for safe preservation. This discovery not only enriches the archaeological record of the Chola period but also serves as a timely reminder of Tamil Nadu's multifaceted past.
Sources:
All information in this news report has been sourced from the following verified sources: DT NEXT, Encyclopedia of Jainism, IJCRT, Times of India, Indian Narrative.
Reference List:
About the Author
I am Shravani Deshmukh, a second-year B.A. History student at Fergusson College, Pune. My passion for archaeology drives me to uncover and interpret the past through diverse source materials. Writing allows me to bring lesser-known narratives to light, weaving together facts and human experiences to make history vivid, relevant, and thought-provoking.
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