The top portion, finial (Dadhinanuti) of a temple was found buried at Ayodhya village under Balasore’s Nilagiri block.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that artefacts and remnants of ancient temples have been found in the area. In fact, Odisha’s Ayodhya has been in the news for many such discoveries and findings.
Speaking to OTV, historian and researcher Batakrushna Khuntia said, “There was a developed civilisation here. A lot of remnants of ancient temples have been discovered in this area. People have found jewellery and gemstones belonging reportedly to past kings and queens too.”
Even the presiding deity of our village Maa Marichi has also appeared from underground. Not only this, but idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, many Goddesses, and Lord Budhha have also been found here. The area had a civilisation which was an amalgamation of multiple religious following.
“Many other things and events of historical significance will be discovered if ASI makes a survey and excavates this place,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that many more remnants of ancient temples and artefacts from Buddhist, Jain and Hindu religions have been found in this area in the past. All those artefacts have been preserved at the ASI museum for the people to see and for the historians to research.