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. The idol was cleaned by the people of the area and worshipped with turmeric and kumkum later.
Earlier, a treasure chest containing gold was found in the Uttiramerur area when villagers were involved in the demolition and reconstruction work of the Kulambeeswarar temple. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department and the district administration took custody of the gold, despite villagers demanding that this should not be added to the government’s treasury and that it was to be kept in the temple once it was renovated.
It is to be noted that there are various mysteries surrounding this temple, which is said to have been built during the reign of Kulothunga II. The idol, believed to be that of Jyeshta Devi, is said to be at least thousand years old belonging to the Pallava period.
The idol of Jyeshta Devi, elder sister of Goddess Lakshmi, was found to be 4 feet high and 2 feet wide. The deity is seated with a white crown under the umbrella and adorned in earrings, chest ornaments, and a dress at the waist. It is said that many years ago there were separate shrines to this Goddess and as time passed, the worship of this goddess gradually disappeared.
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