Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum handed over a 16th-century bronze murti of Saint Thirumangai Azhwar to Indian authorities in London for return to the Tamil Nadu temple.
The murti belonged to the Shree Soundararaja Perumal Temple in Thadikombu. The museum bought it at Sotheby’s auction in 1967. The researcher traced origins in 2019, leading to the repatriation process.
Ceremony held Tuesday with Ashmolean Director Xa Sturgis and Eastern Art Head Professor Mallica Kumbera Landrus present. Murti is now cleared for shipping back to India after Ministry of Culture approval.
The museum contacted the Indian High Commission in 2019. Research was delayed by COVID, but resumed in 2022 with ASI and Tamil Nadu Idol Wing. Metal analysis confirmed authenticity matching temple records.
The statue will return to its original Tamil Nadu temple for active worship, first major repatriation by the Ashmolean following University procedures and Charity Commission approval.
