History enthusiasts and archaeologists from Thiruvannamalai have recently made a remarkable discovery that has unveiled the rich cultural heritage of the region. In the rustic village of Thalavanur, nestled alongside Gingee, a set of breathtaking 1,400-year-old sculptures has been brought to light, shedding new light on the historical narrative of this ancient land.
Historians Raj Panneerselvam and Vedal Vijayan, hailing from Thiruvannamalai, embarked on a field inspection mission in the vicinity of Gingee in Villupuram district. During their survey, an unexpected revelation took place. Hidden within the picturesque fields, just behind the imposing Pancha Pandava hill, the historians stumbled upon these extraordinary relics of the past.
The most prominent discovery among the artifacts was a substantial relief sculpture, measuring an impressive 4 feet in height and spanning 3 feet in width, etched onto a slab stone. This marvel of ancient craftsmanship is believed to be a depiction of thavvai. Thavvai is the elder sister of Goddess Lakshmi and is also known by the name Jyeshta Devi. The astounding part is that this sculpture dates back to the 7th century, providing a fascinating window into the spiritual and artistic expressions of that era.
Upon further examination of the field, the historians uncovered two more stone slab sculptures, strategically positioned a short distance away. These sculptures, intricately carved, were identified as representations of ‘Kottravai’ and ‘Murugan’. Kottravai is the Tamil Hindu goddess of war and victory. She is revered as the mother of God Murugan and hence is considered as an embodiment of Parvati/Durga. Astonishingly, these sculptures are believed to be approximately 1,400 years old, reinforcing the historical significance of the site.
Earlier in 2021, the Uttiramerur Historical Research Center unearthed a statue of Jyeshta Devi, about 1800 years old, in the village of Ullambakkam near Vayalur in Kanchipuram District.
Prior to that, a 1000-year-old idol of Jyeshta Devi was found in the temple area when municipality workers were digging a canal near the Kulambeeswarar temple.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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