Hazaribagh: 9th-Century Uma-Maheshwar Idol Found; Villagers Debate Its Future

• A 9th-10th century Uma-Maheshwar idol, believed to be from the Pal dynasty period, was discovered in Godkhar village, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
• The ancient idol was unearthed during excavation for a house foundation under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
• Archaeologist Dr. Neeraj Mishra confirmed the idol's authenticity and estimated its age based on its style.
• Villagers are worshipping the idol and wish for a temple to be built for it locally, but also express concern about its potential relocation to a museum.
• Hazaribagh district has a history of significant archaeological discoveries, including ancient remains near Chhadwa Dam and Buddhist idols in Bahoranpur.

Why It Matters: Hazaribagh's 9th-century idol find reveals ancient history, sparking local concerns.