Madhya Pradesh: 1,000-year-old Vishnu sculpture restored

BHOPAL: A centuries old sandstone sculpture of the reclining Lord Vishnu in

Bandhavgarh National Park

has been restored by Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage or INTACH. Popularly known as Shesh

Shaiyya

, the sculpture belongs to the Kalchuri period and has immense archeological and heritage value.

The sandstone sculpture was covered with moss and algae for years. This is the first conservation and restoration project undertaken by INTACH in Madhya Pradesh,

Madan Mohan Upadhyay

, state convenor of the organization told TOI.

After the state government’s consent, the project began last year. Situated at the Tala zone of the famous tiger reserve, the 1,000-year-old sculpture is 40 feet in length. For about two months, this tourist zone was closed for the visitors.

Major General

Lalit Gupta

(retd), chairman of INTACH, visited the park three months ago and it was decided that this unique sculpture would be conserved and restored by the trust. Upadhyay said that an expert team of conservators and professionals was deputed for a thorough study of the stone out of which this sculpture was carved out.

The team also studied the nature of the algae and fungus that had accumulated on it for years. Besides, minor floral vegetative growth around it was also studied.

“Looking at the archeological significance of the sculpture, utmost care was taken and the steam-cleaning method was used to remove algae and moss. The moss that was covering it has now been completely cleaned,” Upadhyay said .

Besides the restoration of the Vishnu temple, an idol of

Brahma

and a Shivalinga situated close by the reclining Vishnu were also restored.

During the conservation operations, the team found an inscription dating back to the Kalchuri period. Pictures of it have been sent to experts to decipher.

Basavraj S Annigeri

, field director of Bandhavgarh National Park said, “After the restoration work, the tourist zone of Tala has now again been opened for the tourists. The cleaning and conservation operation has enhanced the life of the sculpture.”


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