Back
Tamil Nadu
Rare form of Jeshtadevi
| Found in an ancient temple |
recovered: The idol of Jeshtadevi.
PUDUKOTTAI: A rare form of Jesthadevi idol has been unearthed recently at an ancient temple in Pudukottai district.
The idol, dating back to the 12th century, has been found at the Sri Chozha Keraleeswarar temple in Parambur village near Kudumiyanmalai.
About three feet tall, the idol of Jeshtadevi in seated posture testifies to the practice of her worship in ancient period.
Her worship was given up in 14th century, says Curator of Government Museum, Pudukottai, C. Govindaraj, who led a team of epigraphists to study the idols at the temple recently.
He says that usually Jeshtadevi, her son Gomukan and daughter Agnimatha are seated in a row, and Jeshtadevi’s stomach will be bigger in size. But at Chozha Keraleeswarar temple, only a close look on the panels could reveal Gomugan and Agnimatha. But the idol looked normal.
Another epigraphist, Karu. Rajendran, said this was a rare form of Jeshtadevi.
In a few places, the idols of Jeshtadevi are found outside the ‘prahara’ of the temple.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu