Mahavira sculpture unearthed in Pudukkottai

Pudukkottai: Archaeology enthusiasts claim to have discovered a Mahavira sculpture near Avudaiyarkoil in Pudukkottai district, which they believe dates to the Chola period.The stone image, found buried under shrubs near the Vellalavayal Subramaniyar Temple at Arimalam, measures 124 cm in height and 72 cm in width. The team says it may belong to the 9th–10th century CE. "It depicts Mahavira in meditation on a lion throne flanked by three lions, with a pedestal carried by mythical Yali and topped with Makara motifs. The halo, triple umbrella, and Ashoka tree carvings reflect the refinement of early Chola artistry," said A Manikandan, founder of the Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum and researcher at Tamil University, Thanjavur. The forum, which has been documenting Jain relics in the region since 2016, said the find adds to Pudukkottai's Jain heritage. Scholar Dr Jambulingam, who inspected the site, offered guidance to the team. Manikandan said the state archaeology department and the ministry have been notified.