900-Year-Old Vishnu Idol Unearthed During Pond Excavation in West Bengal

• A 900-year-old idol of Lord Vishnu was discovered during routine pond excavation in Barar village, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal.
• The discovery, made by an earthmover machine, brought work to a halt and drew crowds, with many considering it a miracle.
• Experts identify the approximately 1.5-foot-tall blackish-brown stone idol as a 'Sthanaka' style Vishnu from the Pala-Sena period (10th-12th centuries).
• The idol features intricate carvings, including a mace in the upper right hand and a Sudarshana Chakra in the left, though slightly damaged.
• Initially, villagers sought to worship it, but authorities took possession for preservation, likely for a museum for research and conservation.