Ambikapur: On the occasion of World Museum Day, important news has come out about the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh. A rare bronze statue of Lord Avalokiteshvara, which was stolen from the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur 43 years ago, is now returning to India from the US. The process of returning this historical statue worth about Rs 19 crore to Chhattisgarh and restoring it in the museum has begun.
Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs Minister Rajesh Agarwal has written to Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, requesting him to send the statue to Chhattisgarh soon. According to reports, the statue has not yet arrived in India, but the state government is preparing to bring it to Raipur after its arrival. Minister Rajesh Agarwal is preparing to travel to Delhi himself to receive the statue.
This rare statue was discovered in 1939 near the Lakshmana Temple complex in Sirpur, a famous archaeological site in Mahasamund district. It was later kept for safekeeping in the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum. But it was stolen from there and taken to the US. According to historians, the inscription on the statue mentions the name “Dronagiridatta”, which further adds to its historical significance.
The state government has described it as a precious treasure of Chhattisgarh’s Buddhist tradition, ancient craftsmanship and cultural identity. The government says the statue’s return will give new prestige to Sirpur’s historical identity at the national and international levels.