Tamil Nadu: Statues of Mahavira, Bidari and Chandikeswara found near Ulundurpet

Tamil Nadu: Ancient statues of Lord Mahavira, Goddess Bitari, and Chandikeswara have been discovered in T. Orathur village near Ulundurpet in Kallakurichi district.

Based on information from S. Chandrasekaran, Ulundurpet Temple, Ulundurpet taluk, Kallakurichi district, Villupuram historical researcher G. Senguttuvan recently conducted a field study in T. Orathur village. At that time, 1,000-year-old statues of Jain Tirthankara Mahavira, Bidari Amman, and Chandikeswara were found.

Senguttuvan further said: Some of the statues found at various locations in D. Orathur village have been placed near a newly built Shiva temple. Of note is the approximately 2-foot-tall statue of Jain Tirthankara Mahavira, depicted seated in meditation, with two samaradharis standing on either side. This statue indicates that Jainism was also practiced in the past in this village.

A headless female statue is visible. The statue is seated gracefully on a pedestal, with her right leg bent and her left leg hanging. A snake is depicted lying on its stomach. The statue holds a bell in its left hand. A garland of skulls is visible around its neck. This is a female deity named Bidari.

There is also a statue of Chandikeshwara. He is seated on a graceful pedestal, with his right leg bent and his left leg hanging.

Another headless statue is seen wearing a long robe. He is wearing a Rudraksha around his neck and is standing with folded hands in prayer. He may be a servant or a king.

The Mahavira statue may date from the 10th-11th century AD, while the other statues may date from the 12th-14th century AD. Senior epigraphic researcher Professor G. Vijayavenugopal has confirmed this. Additionally, a Kotarava statue from the Pallava period has already been found in the area. A 15th-century AD Lakshmi Narasimha idol is also being worshipped. Orathur village was a significant site from the Pallava period to the Vijayanagara period. The reason for the damage to the heads of some of the idols is unknown. If the area is properly investigated, more historical remains may be found. He said that the villagers should properly protect these idols.

C. Chandrasekaran, C. Aneeswaran, C. Sivagurunathan, of the Orathur Aditirumulanath Tirupani Trust Committee,

A. Sakthi Mohan, temple sculptor Azhaguvel, Siva Sathishkumar, and others were present during the inspection.