Gwalior Museum displays rare idols of Godesses

Gwalior, April 17 : The Gujri Palace museum near the historical Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh has an astonishing collection of idols of Goddesses, dating back from the seventh to the sixteenth century.

The sculptures, carved in Balua sand stones and red stones, mainly consist of goddesses worshipped in the bygone age.

Archaeologists had found the idols at various sites in the area.

Hundreds of tourists and research scholars visit this museum to watch these sculptures.

"The Goddesses are very important in Hindu religion and here is a huge collection of idols of several Goddesses. These idols are really beautiful and enchanting," said Mukesh Kumar, a visitor from Agra.

"We had heard about this museum. These idols are very ancient. They are around a thousand years old. In ancient times these deities were given so much importance," said Devendra Kumar, another visitor from Agra.

Some of the most significant idols are of Mahishasur Mardhini, believed to be of 12th century and of Goddess Chamundeshwari of the 8th century. The idol of Goddess Vighnantak made of ashtadhatu (eight metals) was brought here from Nepal.

Another remarkable idol at the museum is that of the tree Goddess Shalbhanjika. A miniature, it is not on display and can be seen on request made to the curator of the museum.

Gujri Palace Museum earlier existed as Gujri Mahal, a palace built by Raja Mansingh Tomar for his Gujar queen, Mrignayani in the fifteenth century. By Ashok Pal

ANI