Rare Panchaloha Garuda Statue Unearthed from Well in Tirunelveli Village

In a remarkable discovery that has stirred archaeological and spiritual interest, a rare Panchaloha Garuda statue was found during the cleaning of a public well in Ambalam village under Ariyakulam Panchayat, near Moolaikkaraipatti in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.

Discovery Near Pillaiyar Temple

The public well, located close to a Pillaiyar (Vinayagar) Temple, was undergoing desilting and cleaning works funded by the local Union Public Welfare Scheme. The well, approximately 50 feet deep, had low water levels, prompting authorities to pump out the remaining water using motors before manually removing the silt.

Unearthing of the Ancient Garuda Idol

To everyone’s surprise, during the desilting process, workers discovered a 1.5-foot-tall statue believed to be made of Panchaloha, a sacred five-metal alloy traditionally used in South Indian temple icons. The statue represents Garuda, the revered eagle mount of Lord Vishnu, and is said to be of immense historical and monetary value, potentially worth several crores of rupees.

Official Investigation and Security

Revenue officials were immediately alerted. District Revenue Officer Sukanya, Nanguneri Tahsildar Balakrishnan, Union Commissioner Yamuna, and other senior officers promptly arrived at the scene. The statue was carefully examined and taken to the Taluk Office for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, the Moolaikkaraipatti police have begun a thorough investigation into how such an ancient and valuable idol ended up in the bottom of a public well. Several angles are being explored, including possible antique idol smuggling or hidden heritage from centuries ago.

Alerting Archaeology and Idol Wing

Given the historical nature of the statue, the Idol Theft Prevention Wing and the Department of Archaeology have also been informed. Their expertise will be vital in identifying the origin, age, and significance of the Panchaloha Garuda idol, and whether it belongs to any undocumented temple ruins in the region.

Conclusion

The discovery of the ancient Panchaloha Garuda statue in Tirunelveli not only underscores the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Tamil Nadu but also raises important questions about forgotten histories buried beneath our feet. This incident highlights the importance of proper documentation, preservation, and investigation of historical artifacts to protect India’s invaluable heritage.