Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 10th century idol of Goddess Durga which had gone missing from a temple in Pulwama in Kashmir over two decades ago. The idol of Durga, in her Mahishasura Mardini avatar, was spotted three years
ago in linden Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
The idol was stolen from India and sold off to someone in Germany. When brought to its notice, the Indian Government took up the issue with the German Government and sought its return given the idol’s religious importance.
The German side responded positively and Merkel decided to bring the idol to India during her visit for Inter Government Consultations.
“A very special word of gratitude to Chancellor Merkel and the people of Germany for the return of the 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasura Mardini avatar from Jammu & Kashmir. She is a symbol of the victory of good over evil. This also suggests that in this age of transition and turmoil, India-Germany partnership will be a force of good for the world”, said Modi while thanking Merkel for the idol. PNS