Odisha: Locals Stumble Upon Buddha Idols On Baitarini Riverbed

Bhadrak: Locals lifting sand from Baitarini river bed stumbled upon two two antique idols of Lord Buddha on Monday.

A resident of Mudhipada village under Bhandaripokhari Pritam Mohanty and another villager were lifting sand from the river bed when they found two ancient sculptures. Pritam took the idols home with him.

On being informed, a member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and researcher of a local museum in Buddha/Boudha Vihar, Biswambar Rout obtained the idols from Mohanty and handed them over to the local museum.

As per preliminary studies, the one with the head is Harsmukh Buddha while the other is Gajmukh Singhasan idol of Buddha Goddess. In the second idol its lower part is missing and the Goddess could be seen seated on a throne flanked by two Gandharvas on either side holding garlands in their hands.

After a preliminary study, the experts both the sculptures date back around the 8th century. The researchers also said idols are made from Khondalite stone and they strongly believe that it belongs to the era of Bhaumik Sashan in Solampur’s Boudha Vihar.