New Delhi: The British police on Tuesday returned to India the ancient sculptures of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita that were stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu in 1978. The temple was built-in Vijayanagara period. According to the reports, the idols were stolen from Sri Rajagopalaswami Temple at Ananthamangalam in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu 40 years ago.

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A WION report stated that the Indian high commission in London last year was informed by the India Pride Project about the stolen idols being smuggled to UK. Post this, the Indian mission raised the matter in with Art and Antique Unit of the London's Metropolitan Police who helped India restore the sculptures.

Confirming the development, Indian officials in the UK said, "Auspicious moment as 3 more priceless statues of Vijayanagara period stolen from Vishnu temple, Nagapatinnam in 1978, recovered by @HCI_London with support of #MetPoliceLondon, restored to Govt of Tamil Nadu in presence of Hble Union Min for Culture&Tourism Shri @prahladspatel."



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In the past, the Indian mission in London was able to recover various other sculptures and antique items including Bramha- Brahmani sculpture which was stolen from the world heritage site Rani-Ki Vav. It was returned to the Archaeological Survey of India in 2017, and now has a prominent place in Delhi's Purana Quila museum.

In addition to this, the 12th Century Bronze statue of Buddha, 17th Century Bronze idol of Navanitha Krishna and a 2nd century limestone carved pillar motif were also restored by India.

It can be recalled that earlier this year only, the Indian High Commission in London was able to get back to India the Siva statue that was stolen from the Ghateshwar temple in Rajasthan.