Recently, rare ancient sculptures depicting the Shaiva and Buddhist deities have been discovered along the banks of the Baitarani River in Odisha’s Bhadrak district. This was discovered last week near Maninathpur village of the Bhandaripokhari block, which set all the researchers and historians ablaze.
The discovery includes 18 artifacts, comprising miniature temples and intricately designed ‘argha stupas,’ belonging to the 6th or 7th century CE. Local youth Bibekananda discovered a statue while walking in the morning and immediately reported it to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and researcher Biswambhar Raut.
Raut surveyed the site and found that there were several sculptures which were spread all over the location. The artifacts include Shaiva icons such as Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha, as well as Buddhist representations of Buddha, Tara, and Padmapani. The discovery indicates the rich cultural and religious past of the region, mixing Shaiva and Buddhist traditions.
Here is the video as ancient sculptures of Shaiva and Buddhist were discovered from Odisha
Tanuja Sirka Singh, District Culture Officer of Bhadrak, confirmed that the artifacts are kept in a museum for further study. Renowned archaeologist Sunil Pattnaik, who visited the site, has pointed out the artistic excellence of the sculptures, which are carved out of Khondalite stone. Pattnaik said that some of the miniature temples, which stand up to 4.5 feet tall, are a heritage of the 6th–8th centuries CE.
These artifacts are expected to provide fresh insights into the region’s historical narrative. “The find is a treasure trove for understanding Odisha’s cultural synthesis,” Pattnaik remarked.
This unearthing in Odisha comes after an earlier such unearthing of idols in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district this month. Three idols were found while digging a well near an ancient Hindu temple. Among the idols were those of Lord Ganesh and Kartikeya.
Both findings highlight India’s layered history in terms of artistic and religious diversity.
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