Idols of 10th and 11th centuries have been found by the BS Vakankar Archeology Research Institute, a unit of the archeology department of the State Government, in village Richhawar of Raisen district. Moreover, two temples of Parmar-Kalchuri style and over 30 ancient rare idols and architectural sections have been found.
Archeology Commissioner Anupam Rajan informed that village Richhawar is historically important because it is situated at the bank of river. This area has been identified as the struggle site of Parmar-Kalchuri dynasty. Influence of both the Parmar and Kalchuri style has been noticed on temples and idols found at this place.
The basic form of the temple was under the ground of new construction before the research work. While excavating, the structure of the 10th and 11th century temple of Kalchuri style were found. The speciality of the structure is that the lower outside part of the temple is decorated and idols in three directions are installed. Several ancient and rare idols of Shiva, Ganesh, Indrani, Brahamani, Maheshwari, Kartikey, Brahma and Vishnu Bhagwan have been found in the temple. A second temple is 45 feet in length and 31 feet in breadth. Eight idols are found in this temple.
The rare Brahma idol is 61cm in height and 40 cm broad among the idols of Hindu Devis and Devtas. The idol is having 24 bhujas having Janeu and there is Vahan Hans down. The idol of Vishnu Bhagwaan is 61 cm in height and 40 cm in breadth. There is Kirit crown on head and 8 bhujas and moreover there is Garun down in human form. Furthermore, the Kartikey idol has 8 bhujas and it is 51 cm in height and 37 cm broad. The idol is riding on peacock with crown on its head. Similarly, idol of Uma-Maheshwar is 48 cm in height which rides on Vrashabh and Singh.
Anupam Rajan has congratulated the Research Officer, Jinendra Jain, of the research institute and the team of archeology museum for these findings.