Karnataka’s ancient idols lost in a mere flash

Earlier this year, an ancient Ganapati idol was stolen from the 800-year-old Sri Sangameshwara temple, which dates back to the Hoysala period.

Although the temple is under the protection of the Muzrai Department, the recovery of the idol remains uncertain now.

Earlier this year, an ancient Ganapati idol was stolen from the 800-year-old Sri Sangameshwara temple, which dates back to the Hoysala period, at Sindhaghatta, K.R. Pet taluk.

The rare black two feet tall stone idol weighed about 100 kg. Although the temple is under the protection of the Muzrai Department, the recovery of the idol remains uncertain now.

An estimated 70,000 artefacts have gone missing from India, studies say. According to the India Pride Project (IPP), a volunteer group working to bring back stolen artefacts, there could be nearly 7,000 from Karnataka alone, given the many dynasties that ruled and the heritage of stone sculpture.

Most States lack a monitoring committee to deal with the problem, says IPP, urging government agencies to put heritage recovery high on their agenda.

IPP is on a nationwide awareness campaign to highlight the reality of so many lost pieces of culture.

It has been urging the Karnataka government to put in place remedial policies and draw up an inventory of the State’s artefacts. During two road shows it organised in Bengaluru, IPP spoke about the gravity of the State’s losses. “Karnataka has no Artefacts Registry or an Idol Wing, unlike Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, who deal with it by enforcing heritage policing,” said Seshadri Shankar, a Bengaluru-based IPP volunteer.

“Among the five [artefacts] brought back to India through IPP last year is the celebrated Nataraja Idol of Brihadeeswara Temple in Tamil Nadu. The idol, stolen more than three decades ago, had reached museums in the U.S., and then Australia where it was sold for $1.5 billion,” said Mr. Seshadri Shankar.

Interestingly, IPP studies say India lost more artefacts after independence.

Where State lags behind

In 1970, UNESCO’s heritage study found that India lost artefacts valued at close to $10 billion.

It suggested an archival registry for each State for recovery of the lost items.

“Although some States eventually formed an enforcement wing States such as Karnataka are yet to come up with a concrete heritage policing policy. The Archaeological Survey of India doesn’t come into the picture here,” said Mr. Seshadri Shankar.

Spiriting idols away

The smuggling route is generally via Hong Kong and Dubai, says an IPP volunteer.

“We are working towards the release of 2,000 artefacts, but 262 are ready to be brought back as of now,” said a volunteer.