The idols, mainly belonging to Chola period (10th and 11th centuries), were seized from a hideout in West Mambalam here following a tip-off before it could be smuggled out of the country.
"The idols have been stolen from two temples in Tiruvannamalai District," a police release said.
Among the idols were that of Lord Shiva, Parvathi, and Vishnu.
This is the third instance in the past 15 days when a smuggling bid of antique idols was prevented, police said.