📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Daniel Arauz
Religion
Vishnu Statue Head Found in ASI Store, Foundation Offers Full Restoration Cost in Khajuraho
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 12 Nov 2026, 04:15 PM
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The head of a Vishnu idol recovered from the Archaeological Survey of India's store in Khajuraho has prompted calls to reattach it to the torso and resume worship, with the Rakhit Murti Sanrakshit Foundation offering to fund the restoration.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently discovered the missing head of a Vishnu idol while inventorying items in its storage facility at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The head, which had been separated from the main statue for an unknown period, was identified as belonging to the deity worshipped in the historic Jawari Temple.
Local devotees and temple authorities have since appealed to the ASI to allow the head to be rejoined with the torso so that regular religious ceremonies can resume. They argue that the statue, once restored, holds significant cultural and spiritual value for the community.
In response, the Rakhit Murti Sanrakshit Foundation wrote to the ASI, offering to bear the entire cost of the restoration work, including the delicate process of reattaching the head and conducting the necessary ritual purification. The foundation emphasized its commitment to preserving heritage artifacts while respecting religious sentiments.
The ASI has acknowledged the letter and indicated that it will review the proposal in consultation with heritage experts and temple priests before deciding on the next steps.
Local devotees and temple authorities have since appealed to the ASI to allow the head to be rejoined with the torso so that regular religious ceremonies can resume. They argue that the statue, once restored, holds significant cultural and spiritual value for the community.
In response, the Rakhit Murti Sanrakshit Foundation wrote to the ASI, offering to bear the entire cost of the restoration work, including the delicate process of reattaching the head and conducting the necessary ritual purification. The foundation emphasized its commitment to preserving heritage artifacts while respecting religious sentiments.
The ASI has acknowledged the letter and indicated that it will review the proposal in consultation with heritage experts and temple priests before deciding on the next steps.