France’s famous international auction house Christie’s has halted the sale of the 500-year-old statue of Nataraj, which was stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu in 1972, after state police became aware of the case. These efforts elicited spontaneous appreciation from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Previously, Christie’s.com had stopped selling the ancient 15th century idol stolen from Kovilpatti of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Idol Wing DGP K Jayanth Murali said it was the first time in India that he and the entire Idol Wing CID were satisfied with their efforts to prevent the auction. Christie’s had recently posted a notice on its website regarding the auction of the idol Nataraj, which belongs to the ancient Sri Kothanda Rameshwar temple, at Kayattar, Kovilpatti in Tuticorin district, for €2,000 to €3,000 on Friday. Alert Murali, noticing the auction, tweeted on Dec. 13, tagged the Antiquities Alliance, an international campaign against cultural extortion and the Archaeological Survey of India, saying, “France. Stop the auction. Give it to us. It’s an idol stolen from: India, Tamil Nadu, Siva temple, Sri Kodandaramesvara. You have evidence. “Finally, Christie’s.com has realized that the auctioned idol was stolen from Tamil Nadu, and they have withdrawn their review,” he said. “Our voice has been heard. Christie’s.com has pulled the stolen idol of Nataraja from auction in India. Murali said in a tweet.”The bronze idol belongs to the Vijayanagara period – 15-16th century – according to Idol Wing CID. Underway to return the idol to the state. Asked about it, the DGP told PTI on Friday “My team and I are very excited and happy because this is the first time that India has done this,” he said. Depending on the reaction from the other side, it may take three months from now,” he said of the temple idol’s return. Well done @jayantmuraliipsMinOfCultureGoIAmitShahOfficeDrSJaishankar @JawedAshraf5 for the well-coordinated work Nirmala Sitharaman said on Twitter. »PTI JSP SA KH KH
(This story has not been edited by the Devdiscourse team and was automatically generated from a shared feed.)
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