An ancient idol weighing approximately 400 kilograms was recovered at Dashami Ghat in Udaipur, Tripura. The discovery occurred on Wednesday when local residents stumbled upon the ancient relic while Municipality workers were engaged in maintenance along the banks of the Gomati River near the Loknath temple area in Udaipur.
According to local law enforcement, this idol, which has seen some corrosion due to extended exposure to water, is believed to have been initially discovered during an excavation at the well-known Jagannath Dighi in Udaipur. Later, it was purportedly cast into the Gomati River by unknown individuals. The precise age of the idol will only be determined after scientific testing.
Upon taking custody of the idol, the R.K Pur Police revealed, “The idol weighs around 400 kilos. It has corroded to some extent, most probably due to prolonged exposure to the water.” Local residents have urged authorities to construct a dedicated space for the placement and worship of the idol.
This isn’t the first time such significant ancient idols have been found in Udaipur.
Last year, two idols of Hindu deities, Lord Vishnu and goddess Santoshi Mata, were discovered.
Earlier, in October 2018, a 2.5-foot idol of a Hindu goddess was recovered from the southeastern bank of Jagannath Dighi in Udaipur. Interestingly, this discovery occurred three months after a 300-year-old sandstone statue was excavated at Rabindra Sangha, a local club in the same district. Despite public demands for relocation to a government museum, the idol was eventually housed in a temple.
The repeated discoveries in the vicinity of Jagannath Dighi, originally excavated during the reign of the King of the Tripura Manikya dynasty, have spurred local demands for the proper preservation and display of these ancient artifacts.
Tripura, known for its rich historical heritage, features various historical sites like the Buddhist ruins of Pilak in South Tripura, Boxanagar in Sepahijala District and the eighth-century Unakoti rock sculptures in Unakoti district.
Udaipur, formerly known as Rangamati during the Royal regime, is a city steeped in history and culture. It is home to the Tripura Sundari Temple, an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Devi Tripureshwari, also known as Matabari. This temple holds significant religious importance as it is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of the Goddess Sati.
Udaipur served as the princely state’s capital until 1760, when the capital was relocated to Puran Haveli, located 20 kilometers east of Agartala, the present-day capital of Tripura, in 1838.
Local people of Udaipur opined many more ancient idols might be found by digging up the Jagannath Dighi.