A Panchaloha pillar weighing 500 kg to commemorate the valour of Indian soldiers during Operation Sindoor is taking shape in Punliyancheri village near Kumbakonam as a tribute by ex-servicemen from Cuddalore district, and is set to be installed at the HQ Integrated Defence Staff building under construction in New Delhi.

A clay model of the pillar, made by a team of 12  sthapathis — traditional sculptors trained in the art of metal and stone work used in temples — was inspected this week by Shine Indian Soldiers Social Welfare Foundation, which is executing the tribute along with the support of ex-servicemen in the district.

The project has an estimated budget of ₹10-15 lakh, and will measure 8 feet in height.

“We wanted to mark the bravery of our soldiers, and the justice attained for their widows in a symbolic way. The pillar will have a lotus-shaped base, with a stylised ‘kungumam chimizh’ (vermillion holder) placed atop to signify Operation Sindoor,” S. Babu  managing trustee of the foundation, told The Hindu on Saturday.

R. Kumar, the sthapathi leading the team in charge of the pillar, said that the project would be executed in several stages and completed within a few months. Panchaloha statues are traditionally composed of gold, silver, copper, zinc, and iron.

“Approximately 700 kg of metals will be forged and shaped to create the pillar, which will be hollow and weigh 500 kg upon completion. The pillar will be lacquered to make it weatherproof. Since panchaloha statues are an integral part of Tamil Nadu’s metalworking heritage, we have to give our best effort,” he said.

In a letter dated October 25, 2025, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, chief of Integrated Defence Staff said, that the pillar would be given a ‘befitting space’ at the under-construction HQ Integrated Defence Staff building in New Delhi.