Pabna, July 25 (V7N) — A rare and historically significant black stone (KastiPathar) idol of Lord Vishnu, estimated to be worth between Tk 10 to 15 crore, was discovered on Friday morning in a pond in Majhgram village under Nimaichara Union of Chatmohar upazila, Pabna.

The idol was found when pond owner Lokman Hossain, accompanied by local fishermen, was catching fish. During the activity, one of the fishermen’s legs hit a solid object beneath the water. Upon retrieval, they uncovered a finely sculpted black stone Vishnu idol, approximately three feet tall. The artifact appeared to be centuries old. Local Hindu residents gathered at the site and began offering prayers beside the pond upon recognizing the deity.

Soon after, police were informed and quickly arrived at the location, seizing the idol and transporting it to the Chatmohar Police Station to prevent unauthorized possession or potential theft.

Chatmohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Musa Naser Chowdhury confirmed the discovery and said, “Upon being informed by locals, police brought the idol into safe custody. After contacting the Department of Archaeology, we were informed that the idol likely dates back to between 1000 and 1100 AD.”

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chatmohar Police Station Monjurul Alam added that the idol will remain at the police station until officials from the Department of Archaeology arrive to take formal custody.

Local experts believe that the idol, carved from Kasti Pathar (black schist), may have belonged to a historical temple that once existed in the region during the Pala or Sena period. The area has long been known for its ancient cultural and religious significance.

This incident further highlights the archaeological richness of rural Bangladesh, where such invaluable artifacts are often unearthed during routine agricultural or fishing activities.

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