18th century Maa Annapurna idol on way to Kashi for installation

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11

Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday led the celebrations to hand over the 18th century Maa Annapurna idol retrieved from Canada to the Uttar Pradesh government for its onward journey to Varanasi, where the statue would be installed on November 15.

At an event to mark the handing over ceremony today, Reddy said, “The revered idol has returned home to India after more than 100 years due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The entire union cabinet, including home minister Amit Shah, women and child development minister Smriti Irani, Commerce minister Piyush Goyal, lauded the day by tweeting about the retrieved idol with the hashtag “Bringing our Gods home.”

The ruling BJP said in the past seven years 75 per cent of all stolen heritage items of India have been retrieved with the efforts of the government.

The Culture Ministry also put out data showing that between 1976 and 2014, 13 stolen items of ancient heritage of India were brought back as against 42 since 2014.

The Annapurna idol began its journey from Delhi to Varanasi today.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will install the idol at Kashi Vishwanath Temple on November 15 after a grand ceremony.

“Annapurna Devi idol was stolen 107 years ago. The idol will be reinstalled at the Kashi temple. PM took personal interest in this,” said BL Santosh, National General Secretary, organisation, BJP.