December 27th 2024.
In the Bhadrak district of Odisha, ancient sculptures have been discovered along the banks of the Baitarani River. These sculptures, which give us a glimpse into the ancient past, were found near the village of Maninathpur in the Bhandaripokhari block.
A team of researchers was conducting a survey in the area when they stumbled upon these treasures earlier this week. Among the 18 sculptures that were found, there were rare depictions of Shaiva and Buddhist deities, believed to date back to the 6th or 7th century Common Era. These artefacts included intricately carved miniature temples and 'argha stupas', which were used for religious rituals.
One of the local youths, Bibekananda, discovered a statue during his morning walk and immediately informed members of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and a young researcher named Biswambhar Raut. Raut then inspected the area and identified 18 ancient sculptures and small temples scattered across the site.
The sculptures were a mix of Shaiva and Buddhist icons, showcasing deities such as Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Buddha, Tara, and Padmapani. After careful examination, these valuable artefacts were handed over to the Buddhist Vihara Museum for preservation and display. Tanuja Sirka Singh, the District Culture Officer of Bhadrak, mentioned that the sculptures were safely stored in the museum after being informed about the findings by INTACH.
Renowned archaeologist Sunil Pattnaik also visited the site and confirmed the significance of the artefacts. He identified them as Shaiva and Buddhist sculptures made of Khondalite stone, which were believed to have been crafted between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. Pattnaik also praised the artistic excellence of the sculptures, which depicted deities like Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Buddha, Padmapani, Tara, Bhairava, and even dancing figures.
Some of these sculptures were quite large, with some miniature temples reaching a height of 4.5 feet. They were considered invaluable cultural and religious symbols of the Shaiva and Buddhist heritage. The researchers believe that these findings will shed light on the syncretic cultural heritage of the region and attract further attention from researchers and historians.
In short, the recent discovery of these ancient sculptures in Bhadrak has opened a window into the rich cultural and religious history of the region. It is a reminder of the diverse and harmonious coexistence of Shaivism and Buddhism in this area, and we can only hope that more such treasures will be unearthed in the future.
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