US Museum Returns Stolen Indian Idols; Shiva Nataraja to Remain on Loan

• The National Museum of Asian Art – Smithsonian Institution will return three historical bronze idols illegally removed from South Indian temples.
• The idols include 'Shiva Nataraja' (Chola period), 'Somaskanda' (Chola period), and 'Saint Sundarar with Paravai' (Vijayanagara period).
• The 'Shiva Nataraja' idol will remain in the US on a long-term loan to the museum under an agreement with the Government of India.
• The museum will display the Shiva Nataraja idol and share its history, illegal removal, and return story publicly.
• Research using French Institute in Pondicherry archives confirmed the idols were photographed in Tamil Nadu temples between 1956-1959, leading to ASI's intervention.

Why It Matters: Three stolen Indian idols are being returned from the US, with one Shiva Nataraja remaining on loan.