Thanjavur: At least nine ancient and exquisite Panchaloha (five metals) idols, including a 2.5-foot-tall idol of Lord Shiva and His consort, Parvathi, were unearthed by workers while digging trenches for laying water pipelines near the famous Suyambu Linga Somanathaswami temple at Perumagalur village in Peravoorai Taluk in Thanjavur district.

The workers engaged by Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage (TWAD) Board were digging trenches on Saturday when they stumbled upon the nine Panchaloha idols at the depth of five feet. The idols included those of Lords Vinayaka, Nataraja, and Bhoodevi.

On being informed, the Pattukottai Tahsildar rushed to the spot, inspected the idols, and sent them to the treasury for safekeeping.

District Collector Annadurai today visited and inspected the idols kept at the Pattukottai Sub Treasury. “The antiquity of the idols will be ascertained only after the experts of state archaeology department inspect the idols,” he said.

Photos: The idols that were unearthed by the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage (TWAD) Board employees when they were digging trenches near the Suyambulinga Somanathaswami temple at Perumagalur village.