Ancient sculptures, including rare remnants of Shaiva and Buddhist deities, have been unearthed along the Baitarani River in Odisha’s Bhadrak district, researchers revealed. The discovery, made near the village of Maninathpur in the Bhandaripokhari block, comprises 18 artefacts believed to date back to the 6^th or 7^th century CE.

The findings include intricately carved miniature temples and ‘argha stupas,’ which provide valuable insights into the region’s cultural synthesis. Researchers anticipate that the artefacts will draw significant interest from historians and scholars, further enriching the understanding of Odisha’s blended cultural heritage.

During a morning walk, local youth Bibekananda stumbled upon a statue and promptly informed members of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and young researcher Biswambhar Raut.

Upon visiting the site, Raut identified 18 ancient sculptures and small temples scattered across the area. These artefacts include representations of Shaiva deities such as Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh, alongside Buddhist icons like Buddha, Tara and Padmapani.

The discovered sculptures have since been transferred to the Buddhist Vihara Museum for preservation and public display.

“After receiving information about the discovery, we alerted the INTACH members, who then ensured the ancient sculptures were stored in the museum," said Tanuja Sirka Singh, the District Culture Officer of Bhadrak.

Renowned archaeologist Sunil Pattnaik, after inspecting the site, confirmed the historical and cultural significance of the artefacts. He identified them as Shaiva and Buddhist sculptures crafted from Khondalite stone and dated to the 6^th–8^th centuries CE.

Pattnaik commended the artistic excellence of the sculptures, which include depictions of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Buddha, Padmapani, Tara, Bhairava, and dancing figures. Among the discoveries are miniature temples, some reaching up to 4.5 feet in height, symbolising the region’s rich Shaiva and Buddhist heritage.

In a separate development earlier this month, authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal unearthed three idols near an ancient Hindu temple. The Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, closed since 1978, was reopened on December 14. The idols were discovered during the digging of a well, with Sambhal’s Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Shrish Chandra, confirming their retrieval and holding the broken artefacts during the inspection.

“There is an idol of Lord Ganesh, the other one seems to be of Lord Kartikeya, more details are being sought. There was debris and soil in the well. The idols were discovered when it was dug...The area has been secured so that excavation can be done smoothly,” he added.