400-year-old ancient metal idols discovered during house construction in Haryana village

In a recent discovery during a house construction project in Mohammadpur Baghanki village near Manesar (Haryana), three ancient metal idols, believed to be around 400 years old, were found buried underground, as reported by the local police today.The authorities have seized the ancient idols and instructed the owner to halt construction activities, further adding that the Archaeology Department will conduct additional excavations to explore the possibility of more idols at the site.

During the excavation for a new house foundation, the police reported that the idols were discovered while construction work was ongoing with a JCB machine. The discovered idols are of the revered Hindu deities Lord Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu stands tall at 1.5 feet, while the seated Mata Lakshmi is a foot high, though slightly smaller. Both idols showcase intricate carvings and elaborate designs. Additionally, the third idol captures a serene moment with Lord Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi seated together, further adding to the cultural and historical significance of the find.

The idols are made of bronze and were found at a depth of 15 feet.Initially, the plot owner tried to conceal the finding, going as far as offering money to the JCB driver to keep it quiet. However, after two days, the driver informed the Bilaspur police, prompting them to dispatch a team to the site for further investigation.

The villagers consider these findings as a symbol of divine favor. As per the police, the villagers expressed their desire for the idols to be entrusted to the panchayat, hoping to construct a temple on the site. However,the findings were submitted to officials from the Archaeology Department Banani Bhattacharya and Dr Kush Debar and they declined their request.

Banani Bhattacharya the Deputy Director of the Archeology Department made a statement saying: “These idols are the property of the government and no one can have personal rights on these. These will be kept in the museum of the Archeology Department after study in our laboratory.”

He further added “The idols have been transported to our laboratory for further study. The archaeology department plans to use scientific methods to determine the exact age of the statues. According to a preliminary examination, they seem to be around 400 years old. It appears someone buried them long ago. The Manesar area doesn’t have any previous findings, but we will examine the matter.”

Haryana, known for its abundant cultural and historical treasures, is a frequent site for discovering ancient idols. The state boasts numerous significant archaeological sites, including the intricate stone carvings in Aravalis, Faridabad, and the remnants of the Indus Valley Civilization found in Rakhigarhi.Authorities announced their intention to search for inscriptions or identifying marks that could shed light on the statues’ origins. Additionally, they issued a plea to the public, urging them to collaborate and refrain from disturbing either the site or the artifacts found.

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