1500-yr-old Lord Muruga idol found near Tiruvannamalai

Detailing the excavation, Madan Mohan, vice president of Tiruvannamalai archaeological centre, said that a 6-member team that carried out the excavation found the stone idol.

According to Madan Mohan, the extremely rare idol dates back to the 5th or 6th century and could have been sculpted during the Pallava period. The carving depicts Lord Muruga with three heads and dressed in the attire of that period. The lord was also found to be standing on a lotus flower. The sculpture also has a reversed bow that denotes the end of war. The one who owns a bow is the triumphant. The top of the carving also depicts a cock and a peacock, he added.

The six-member team also spotted 7 lines of wording below the sculpture which could not be deciphered immediately. Hence, the team has sought the help of an epigraphist, they said.

Both the state archaeological department and the district collector have been informed of the find, Madan Mohan said. As there were ruins of an ancient brick temple in the area, concerted efforts by archaeological experts would help unearth more ancient treasures from the reason, Mohan said.