Tamil Nadu News

Chola-Era Archaeological Discovery – Nagapattinam

November 3 , 2026 12 hrs 0 min 13 0

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology unearthed 12th-century bronze-alloy idols of Nataraja and Sivakami during excavations in Nagapattinam.
The idols were found at a depth of one metre, along with their pedestals; the Nataraja idol measures 110 cm in height and the Sivakami idol measures 82 cm.
Nataraja is depicted in the four-armed Ananda Tandava posture, while Sivakami is depicted in the two-armed Tribhanga posture.
Their physical structure, iconography and ornamental designs indicate that they belong to the 12th century CE during the Chola period.
Chola bronze sculptures were mainly produced between the 9th and 13th centuries using the Cire-perdue (lost-wax casting) technique.
Nagapattinam was an important Chola-period port, manufacturing centre and religious centre; the idols may have been buried for safekeeping during invasions.