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Centuries-Old Kelbai Sculpture Recovered from Goa River, Headed to Museum
21 Oct
Summary
- Vivekanand Puratatva Abhyas Mandal members hand over Kelbai sculpture to Goa museum
- Sculpture discovered partially submerged in Valvonti river at Tulshimala, Poriem
- Archaeology student Vithoba Gawade retrieved the 4-armed, lotus-holding, smiling deity
On October 19th, 2025, members of the Vivekanand Puratatva Abhyas Mandal in Keri, Goa discovered a rare stone sculpture of the deity Kelbai in the Valvonti river at Tulshimala, Poriem. The sculpture, which depicts the deity in a smiling, 4-armed pose holding lotus buds, was partially submerged under a bridge connecting Tulshimala to Padoshem.
Vedant Jayendra Kerkar first spotted the sculpture lying in the flowing river. Archaeology student Vithoba Gawade then entered the water with the help of Suraj Malik to carefully retrieve the antique artifact on Diwali. The Vivekanand Puratatva Abhyas Mandal members have now handed over the beautifully carved Kelbai sculpture to the Goa state museum, where it will be preserved and displayed for the public.
According to Suraj Malik, the sculpture is a "bhog murti" or offering idol, depicting the nurturing, feminine aspect of the deity. It is adorned with a crown and seated on a lotus, with two elephants holding pitchers in their trunks. Experts believe there may be more such ancient sculptures still lying in the Valvonti river, waiting to be discovered and protected.
