Australia To Return 3 Antique TN Idols During Modi Visit
In a landmark gesture of cultural repatriation, Canberra is set to return three priceless ancient Indian antiquities, bringing the nation's stolen legacy back to its rightful soil.
CHENNAI: Due to effective measures taken by idol wing CID, Australia has accepted to repatriate three antique idols of Tamil Nadu, belonging to the 12th century, as registered by the idol wing CID police station crime No.01/2016.
On July 9, 2026, the authorities in Australa agreed to repatriate the three idols to Tamil Nadu during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Australia.
The idols are - a trident with Kali (Bhadrakali), valued around EUR.190,000 (Rs. 2 crore); Nandi (sacred bull), belonging to Arulmigu Kailasanathar temple, Kaduvankudi village, Tiruvarur taluk & district, worth about $US.450,000 (Rs. 4 crore); and a six-faced stone idol of Subramanya, belonging to Arulmigu Naganathaswami temple, Manambadi village, Kumbakonam taluk, Thanjavur, valued around EUR.180,000 (Rs. 2 crore).
The idols were exhibited in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australia.
The successful operation and prompt action of the idol wing CID team were appreciated by D. Kalpana Nayak, additional director general of police, idol wing CID, Anil Kumar Giri, inspector general of police, idol wing CID, and M. Chandrasekaran, superintendent of police, idol wing CID, Chennai.
DGP and Head of Police Force, Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, appreciated the entire team and officials of idol wing CID.