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Chola Artifacts Return Home in Landmark Australia-India Repatriation
29 Jul
Summary
- Three Chola-era artifacts from Tamil Nadu are returning to India.
- Australia will receive ancestral remains of an Aboriginal ancestor.
- The exchange marks a rare two-way act of repatriation between nations.

In a significant cultural development, India and Australia have agreed to a rare two-way repatriation of precious artifacts and ancestral remains. Three ancient Chola-era Tamil Nadu antiquities are set to return to India from Australian collections. These include a ceremonial bronze trident of Goddess Bhadrakali, a granite idol of Nandi, and a six-headed sculpture of Lord Kartikeya.
Concurrently, Australia will receive the remains of an Aboriginal ancestor. These remains have been housed in Chennai's Government Museum since a formal exchange took place between museum directors in 1935. The repatriation of human remains carries particular consequence and signifies a deep respect for cultural heritage and historical ties between the two nations.