Pala-era Ganesha Idol Unearthed in Bihar Field

A significant archaeological find has emerged from Simri Bakhtiyarpur village in Saharsa district, Bihar. Two days ago, a rare idol of Ganesha, believed to be from the Pala period (8th-9th century), was unearthed while ploughing a field. The idol, crafted from black schist, is characterized by its four arms and a lotus pedestal, with a mouse carving at the base.

Experts, including former ASI regional director Phani Kant Mishra and Intach co-convener Shiv Kumar Mishra, have appealed to the state culture department for the idol's preservation in a museum. They expressed concern over the idol's current placement in a local temple, deeming it archaeologically unsafe. The discovery site is near the Baba Mateshwar Nath temple, and it is estimated that the statue had been detached from a temple complex long ago.

This find adds to the region's rich cultural heritage, with similar discoveries previously made in the vicinity, including an eighth-century Shivling found near the Ugratara temple complex. The Mithila region is known for its abundance of ancient artifacts, highlighting the importance of proper preservation efforts by authorities.