February 9th 2025.
In the small village of Malda, located in the Bhandaripokhari block of Bhadrak district, a remarkable discovery was made on a peaceful Saturday afternoon. It was an ancient idol of Lord Vasudeva, estimated to be from the sixth century. This news spread quickly throughout the village and surrounding areas, fascinating many with its significance and historical value.
The idol was found by a local resident named Jitendra Samal, who had been gathering sand for a construction project. As he was sifting through the sand, he noticed something unusual and carefully unearthed it. To his surprise, it was a well-preserved idol of Lord Vasudeva, adorned with intricate details and standing at a height of one foot. Jitendra wasted no time and took the idol home, keeping it safe until he could consult with experts.
The following day, upon hearing about the discovery, Bishwambar Raut, a member of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), paid a visit to Jitendra's house. Along with Aritanjali Samal, a member of the local Samiti, and scholar Ramachandra Mohanty, they examined the idol and were amazed by its authenticity. After careful consideration, it was decided that the idol should be preserved and displayed at the Sholampur Buddhist Monastery Museum.
The idol itself was a stunning piece of art, made from khondalite stone and intricately crafted with four arms. Each arm held a symbol: a discus, a mace, a water pot, and a lotus. This was a significant find, as it was a rare artefact from the sixth century. Renowned archaeologist Dr. Sunil Pattnaik confirmed its age and importance, solidifying its place in history.
The discovery of the Lord Vasudeva idol brought great excitement to the village of Malda and its surrounding areas. It was a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the region and sparked a renewed interest in preserving and studying ancient artefacts. Thanks to the keen observation of Jitendra Samal, this valuable piece of history was able to be preserved and shared with the world.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
