NEW DELHI: Australia on Thursday announced that it will return three ancient Indian artefacts, a ceremonial metal trident bearing the image of Goddess Bhadrakali, a stone idol of Nandi and a stone idol of six-headed Kartikeya to India.The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Australia on a three-day visit, where he received a grand welcome from the Indian community with cultural performances celebrating the shared heritage and close ties between the two nations.Addressing the media, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that India would also repatriate the ancestral remains of an Australian First Nations individual currently housed at the Government Museum in Chennai.“I welcome progress to repatriate the remains of an Australian First Nations ancestor held in the Government Museum in Chennai. The ancestor will be voluntarily and unconditionally repatriated by India to their Traditional Custodians,” Albanese said.“In the spirit of friendship, Australia will voluntarily return several items of cultural significance to India, previously held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales,” he added.Describing the reciprocal repatriation as an important step towards historical justice, Albanese said, “Australia and India share a deep history, and we are building strong people-to-people links between our two countries. The repatriation of a First Nations ancestor promotes healing, justice, and reconciliation. I commend Prime Minister Modi for the decision to repatriate the Australian First Nations ancestor to their Traditional Custodians.“The three Indian artefacts being returned include:
- Metal Trident with Goddess
Bhadrakali : A ceremonial trishula surmounted by an image of Goddess Bhadrakali, symbolising protection, divine power and the destruction of evil in Shaiva-Shakti traditions. It originated from the Sri Kasiviswanathaswamy Temple in Kollumangudi, Tamil Nadu, and dates back to the 13th-16th centuries CE. - Stone Idol of Nandi: The sculpture depicts Nandi, Lord Shiva’s sacred bull and vahana (mount), traditionally placed facing the temple sanctum as a symbol of devotion, strength and dharma. It also comes from the Sri Kasiviswanathaswamy Temple in Kollumangudi and belongs to the 13th-16th centuries CE.
- Stone Idol of Six-Headed Kartikeya (Shanmukha): The Chola-period sculpture represents Kartikeya, also known as Murugan or Shanmukha, with six heads symbolising wisdom, valour and divine protection. It originated from the Naganathsamy Temple in Manambadi, Thanjavur district, built during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in the early 11th century CE.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour in Canberra. Albanese received the Prime Minister at the ceremonial venue before the two leaders greeted each other and attended the official ceremony.PM Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday after concluding the Indonesia leg of his three-nation tour. During his three-day visit, the two leaders are expected to hold wide-ranging discussions on strengthening cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, education, mobility and people-to-people ties.After completing his engagements in Australia, Modi will travel to New Zealand, the final leg of his three-nation tour.