Vijayawada: Seven panchaloha idols have been found in a pit being dug during the renovation of Bhavannarayana Temple at Inumella village in Ipuru mandal of Palnadu district on Tuesday night.

Endowments authorities said the idols are those taken around the village during temple processions.

They said in the past, temple authorities would have hidden them in an underground facility to prevent them from being stolen by thieves.

Temple authorities are making efforts to secure the idols in a bank locker for safety. They will be installed in the temple once the renovation works are completed.