Goddess Annapurna Idol

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, an ancient idol of Goddess Annapurna was brought back to India after over a century from Canada.

• The Idol was received by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It will be placed in its original location – the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
• This idol was smuggled out of the country somewhere around 1913.

About:

• Goddess Annapurna: She is the goddess of food. She is also known as the manifestation of the goddess Parvati, partner to Lord Shiva.
  • The idol holds a bowl of kheer in one hand and a spoon in the other.
• Benares Style: The 18^th-century idol, carved in the Benares style, was part of the collection at the MacKenzie Art Gallery at the University of Regina, Canada.
  • Varanasi, also known as Benares, Banaras, or Benaras or Kashi or Kasi, is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the rich cultural tradition of Varanasi that makes it the cultural capital of India.
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple: It is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
  • The temple stands on the western bank of the river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples.
  • It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.