Buoyed by discovery of statues, devasthan plans museum
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
BICHOLIM, JUNE 8
The recent discovery of rare statues near the Chamundeshwari Devasthan at Pilgao-Bicholim has prompted the temple committee to decide on constructing a museum to showcase the treasures.
Addressing a press conference at Vargao-Pilgao in Bicholim on Tuesday, Devasthan President Tushar Tople said they have decided to setup a museum for the rare statues and idols found in the tank near the temple.
”Besides this we would also display detailed information about the temple and its historical importance,” he said.
It may be recalled that a search operation was carried out in the tank on May 30 and on the first day they found four sculptures while another two were found on the next day.
“According to Portuguese documents, several of the idols were shifted from Goa Velha to Pilgao in 1534 AD during inquisition and about five statues that we have found would be of the same time,” said Tople.
“The sculpture of Kaalbhairav has a three-line inscription in Nagri script on its back and is dated to 1583 AD.”
“We have decided to set up a museum to store these rare sculptures which have great historical importance. The sculptures are that of goddess Rawalnath, Kalbhairaw, Indra, Kshetrapal and one more which is difficult to recognize,” Tople told reporters.
Added historian Rohit Phaldesai: “It is a turning point in the history of the State as for the first time we have found a statue of Lord Indra. The statue is from the Kadamba period and dates back to 12th century.”
He said that Lord Indra is seen in a standing pose with four arms. “The upper left hand holds a 'vajr', and the upper right hand holds an 'ankush' which are key features in the sculpture of Indra,” said Phaldesai.