Author: PTI
Publication: Mid-Day
Date: June 4, 2004
URL: http://web.mid-day.com/news/nation/2004/june/84925.htm
A unique stone sculpture dating
back to the third century has been unearthed from the banks of Chambal
river in Rajasthan's Kota district throwing new light on the cultural history
of the state, a research scholar today said.
The stone sculpture depicting "Shalbhanjika",
an icon of 'Yakshini' or a beautiful woman, has been found for the first
time in the state, Ambika Dhaka, a research scholar of Indian Council of
Historic Research said.
The idol was discovered on the right
bank of river Chambal in vicinity of Keshoraipatan and opposite to historic
Rangpur, about 10 kilometers from Kota.
The stone block is carved with a
beautiful young women standing under a 'shaal' tree bending a branch with
her left hand while plucking some fruit or flower from it with her right
hand. The figure wears a four stringed waist ornament, she said.
Two peacocks, a monkey and probably
a squirrel are also carved on shaal tree.
"Shalbhanjika", along with a small
boy, is standing on a human figure whose hind portion is foliated, Dhaka
said after studying the sculpture and dating it to third century period.
Dhaka said the stone sculpture was
'unique' due to the cultural significance of the theme.
