INDIA, April 18, 2023 (Swarajyamag): The discovery of a number of vigrahas (murthis of the Gods) and copper plates in Seerkazhi Sattainathar Temple is a landmark event, and for the first time, copper plates with Saiva hymns were found here. Over the last few years, there have been a number of discoveries of vigrahas of various Gods in many parts of Tamil Nadu. Many Sivalingas, Vishnu murtis, Lakshmi, Thavvai, Lakulisa and many more statues were discovered during excavation. Predominantly, the statues were made of granite stone. The reason they lay buried could have been because the temples that housed such vigrahas were demolished or left with no care over a period of time. On the other hand, there were a few places where the panchaloka vigrahas were found to be deliberately hidden under the ground for specific reasons. The Agamas stipulate that during times (kalabam) of invasions, epidemics, fire, etc, the statues needed to be safeguarded. After the distress times are over, they can be taken out and pujas can be resumed.

The Seerkazhi Sattainathar temple is under the administration of Dharmapuram Adheenam, a Saiva Mutt that has been in existence for centuries. The current Adheenam is performing kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) to a number of temples under the control of the mutt. Sattainathar Temple kumbhabhishekam is slated to be held on 24 May after a gap of 32 years. It is customary to have a yaga sala associated with the kumbhabhishekam, so when the workers were digging a place for constructing the yaga sala near the west gopuram, they found statues. The digging was stopped for a while and resumed carefully under the supervision of the Adheenam. What was unearthed then was a treasure trove. There were 22 panchaloka vigrahas including those of Ganapathi, Murugan, Somaskandar, Saiva saints such as Appar and Gnanasambandar. Apart from them, 55 peetas, a number of puja utensils, and 493 copper plates were all found in the same location. Based on the initial assessment, these panchaloka vigrahas were found to be from the 12th-13th Century CE, which was towards the end of the later Chola era.

Much more on this important discovery at source.
https://swarajyamag.com/newsletters/evening-landmark-discovery-of-panchaloha-idols-copper-plates-in-tns-sirkazhi

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