New Delhi: The United Kingdom authorities has handed over 15th-century idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman to India on Tuesday, Minister of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel has confirmed. Speaking to media, Patel informed that the three idols belong to India and were stolen in 1978 from a temple in Tamil Nadu. The minister also stated that these idols are from the Vijayanagara empire dating back to 15th century.
Earlier in August, the United Kingdom had announced that they would return a 9th-century statue of Lord Shiva which was stolen and smuggled nearly 20 years ago from Ghateshwar Temple, Baroli in Rajasthan. The rare stone statue was returned to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).