Correct Answer : 10th century
An ancient Indian idol dating back to the 10th century, which was recently unearthed in the garden of a private residence in England, was restored to India on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Friday(14th Jan 2022).
The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Gaitri Issar Kumar, took formal charge of the sculpture at the High Commission of India (HCI) in London from Chris Marinello of Art Recovery International, the organisation which helped repatriate the idol.
“Recovery of stone art has to move fast. If you don’t move fast, you will lose the opportunity,” said Chris Morinello. He applauded the HCI for, “cutting all the red tape,” and moving fast.
The beautifully carved sculpture in sandstone, which is part of a goat-headed Yogini idol set from Lokhari Temple in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, will now be dispatched to the Archaeological Survey of India in New Delhi.
“It is very auspicious to be receiving this Yogini on Makar Sankranti,” Gaitri Issar Kumar said, at a handover ceremony at India House in London.
Source : India Today
