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CHENNAI: The Idol Wing CID has begun paperwork to retrieve from the US two bronze antique idols stolen from a temple in Tiruvarur 50 years ago. While the idol of Somaskandar is with the Freer Sackler Museum in Washington DC, that of dancing Sambandar was sold by Christie’s, a London-based auction house, to someone in the US for $98,500 (approximately `81.5 lakh). Police hope to obtain details of the buyer from the auction house. The wing began the investigation based on a complaint lodged by S Nagarajan, inspector, HR&CE, at Vikrapandiyam in Thiruvarur in 2017. He said three antique metal idols belonging to Viswanatha Swamy Temple in Thiruvarur district were stolen and replaced with replicas. No image of the original idols was with temple management, according to a press release.

As Vijay prepares to begin a new political chapter in Tamil Nadu after becoming the 9th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, public curiosity around the actor-politician now stretches far beyond rallies and election headlines. His ancestral village of Muthupettai in Tiruvarur district is now emerging as a fascinating destination for fans and travellers alike who want to explore the place closely connected to his roots and childhood. Far from the glitz of Chennai’s film world, this quiet village now carries the pride of being the birthplace of the superstar-turned-politican Vijay’s family lineage, offering visitors an authentic slice of rural Tamil Nadu steeped in history and emotion.

In a fresh push to Tamil Nadu’s industrial and cultural sectors, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday inaugurated completed projects worth Rs 67.34 crore and laid foundation stones for 20 new initiatives valued at Rs 78.57 crore. Among the completed works were four new industrial estates developed by the SIDCO across Thiruvallur, Tirunelveli, Chengalpattu and Thiruvarur districts at a cost of Rs 28.33 crore over nearly 78 acres. The estates are expected to house 334 units and create close to 5,400 direct and indirect jobs. Notable among them is the Kaverirajapuram estate in Thiruvallur, set up at Rs 12.16 crore with provision for 74 units, expected to generate employment for 1,200 people. Similarly, the Muthur estate in Tirunelveli, spread over 33 acres with 91 units, will create 1,500 jobs, while the Kadambadi Sculpture Park in Chengalpattu, with 111 units on 21 acres, is projected to provide 1,800 jobs. The Korukkai estate in Thiruvarur, costing Rs 3.57 crore, will house 58 units and create around 900 jobs. A new private estate at Maruthadu village in Cuddalore with an investment of Rs 3.60 crore will accommodate 105 units, generating 1,800 jobs. Infrastructure upgrades worth Rs 24.61 crore were also completed at the Arignar Anna Cooperative Estate in Kittampalayam, Coimbatore, benefiting 585 units.

Tamil Nadu School Holiday Today: According to local reports, in view of the heavy rain alert for several districts, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed three teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli to assist with preparedness and emergency response measures. Tamil Nadu School Holiday Today: Several districts in Tamil Nadu have declared a holiday for schools on Monday, November 24, 2025, due to the heavy rain forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The decision has been taken as rainfall is expected to intensify across multiple regions in the state. Holidays have been announced in the following districts: Kallakurichi, Ramanathapuram, Puducherry, Virudhunagar, Thanjavur, Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, and Karur.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday approved ₹1,427.61 crore for the construction of a four-lane Thiruvarur bypass on the Nagapattinam–Thanjavur section of NH-83 in Tamil Nadu. The 14.9-km project also includes the construction of two additional Road Over Bridges (ROBs) on NH-129A and NH-134A. Announcing the approval in a post on X, Gadkari said the project would strengthen connectivity between key industrial centres such as Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore and the port towns of Karaikal and Nagapattinam, boosting regional economic activity. The bypass alignment, beginning from the Adiyakkamangalam–Thandalai stretch, will pass through several areas including Athipuliyur, Andipalayam, Kidaramkondan, Pallivaramangalam, Perumpugalur, Elavangarkudi and Anaivadapathy Colony. The Minister said the project would significantly decongest Thiruvarur town by diverting traffic away from densely populated and commercial areas, while reducing travel time by nearly 15 minutes and improving road safety. The new alignment is also expected to improve connectivity to State Highways 23 and 65, besides enhancing access to the revered Thyagaraja Swamy Temple, contributing to infrastructure development and easier travel in the region.