200-year-old idol unearthed in Erode

The tank, located near a temple in Kottai area, was in use before a century. When it went dry, the tank was filled with mud and surfaced to the ground level leaving no traces of its existence.

Meanwhile, Olirum Erode Foundation (OEF), an NGO, decided to desilt the tank and began the work a month ago. The tank has so far been dug up for about 20 feet and works are still under way.

On Friday, the workers stumbled upon a 3.5 feet idol. Aravamudan, a retired teacher, said that the tank was closed a century ago. “So, the idol must be at least 200 years old,” he said.

On receiving information about the recovery of a statue, Erode District Collector S Prabakar inspected the idol and ordered it to be kept safely in a nearby temple. It is likely to be examined by experts to study its age and history.

Curious villagers thronged the place to take a glance of the statue recovered from the tank.