News Desk, Amar Ujala, Varanasi
Updated Sun, 22 Nov 2020 12:04 AM IST
Statue of Maa Annapurna and, Mahant of the temple at Kashi.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
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A hundred years ago, the idol of mother Annapurna, stolen and taken to Canada, will soon come to Kashi. The Government of Canada has handed over the statue to the High Commissioner of India on 19 November. The statue is found at the University of Regina, Canada. The idol has kheer in one hand and grain in the other hand.
During World Heritage Week that began on November 19, Indian artist Divya Mehra looked at the statue and took up the matter. After activism, it was revealed that Mackenzie had traveled to India a hundred years ago and had also come to Varanasi at the same time.
It is believed that this idol was stolen from Annapurna temple. The idol is now being brought to India. The statue of the mother Annapurna, found in the Regina University collection at the McKenzie Art Gallery, was officially revealed by Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of the University Thomas Chase to India’s High Commissioner in Canada, Ajay Bisaria, on November 19 in a virtual ceremony. Representatives of the McKenzie Art Gallery, Global Affairs Canada and Canada Border Services Agency also attended the ceremony.
Now, with this statue coming back to India, it is expected that Annapurna will become an integral part of the court after a hundred years. Regional Archaeological Officer Dr. Subhash Chandra Yadav told that when the idol comes to India, then the further process will be completed. However, when the stolen idols from Karnataka came to India a few days ago, the ministry handed them over to the Karnataka government. It is expected that this statue is the heritage of Kashi and will visit Kashi.
In 1936, Mackenzie did the statue.
Indian artist Divya Mehra found in the permanent collection of the gallery that the statue was made by Mackenzie in 1936 and was added to the gallery’s collection. Divya raised the issue and said that it was brought to Canada illegally. Research revealed that McKenzie traveled to India in 1913. The idol reached Canada from here onwards. Mother Annapurna has Kheer in one hand and spoon in the other.
A hundred years ago, the idol of mother Annapurna, stolen and taken to Canada, will soon come to Kashi. The Government of Canada has handed over the statue to the High Commissioner of India on 19 November. The statue is found at the University of Regina, Canada. The idol has kheer in one hand and grain in the other hand.
During World Heritage Week that began on November 19, Indian artist Divya Mehra looked at the statue and took up the matter. After activism, it was revealed that Mackenzie had traveled to India a hundred years ago and had also come to Varanasi at the same time.
It is believed that this idol was stolen from Annapurna temple. The idol is now being brought to India. The statue of the mother Annapurna, found in the Regina University collection at the McKenzie Art Gallery, was officially revealed by Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of the University Thomas Chase to India’s High Commissioner in Canada, Ajay Bisaria, on November 19 in a virtual ceremony. Representatives of the McKenzie Art Gallery, Global Affairs Canada and Canada Border Services Agency also attended the ceremony.
Now, with this statue coming back to India, it is expected that Annapurna will become an integral part of the court after a hundred years. Regional Archaeological Officer Dr. Subhash Chandra Yadav told that when the idol comes to India, then the further process will be completed. However, when the stolen idols from Karnataka came to India a few days ago, the ministry handed them over to the Karnataka government. It is expected that this statue is the heritage of Kashi and will visit Kashi.
In 1936, Mackenzie did the statue.
Indian artist Divya Mehra found in the permanent collection of the gallery that the statue was made by Mackenzie in 1936 and was added to the gallery’s collection. Divya raised the issue and said that it was brought to Canada illegally. Research revealed that McKenzie traveled to India in 1913. The idol reached Canada from here onwards. Mother Annapurna has Kheer in one hand and spoon in the other.
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