Chhattisgarh State PCS

• 18 Feb 2022

Rare Ancient Statue of Yoga Narasimha

Why in News

• On February 17, 2022, a rare ancient idol of Yoga Narasimha, found during pond deepening in village Kumhari under Arang block of Raipur district of Chhattisgarh and was brought to the Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur by the Department of Culture and Archeology.

Key Points

• This ancient idol of Yoga Narasimha is made of red sandstone and is dated back to 4th-5th century AD. During the excavation of the pond, pottery of the Gupta period tradition has also been found.
• It is worth mentioning that on the basis of the news of the discovery of an ancient statue of Narasimha, the Director of Culture and Archeology Department, Vivek Acharya, formed a team of departmental officers and inspected the statue and its receipt. were instructed to do.
• This idol was found on Bhatha land, located near the temple named Bagdhara, in the north of the settlement.
• According to the Department of Archeology, this is a unique and rare idol. It is also called Narasimha or Shanta Narasimha. In such a posture the deity is depicted sitting alone in silence. Usually the idol of Narasimha killing Hiranyakashyap is found in abundance, but the sculpture of this form of Narasimha is relatively less.
• The size of this idol made of red sandstone is 18×12.5×02 cm, the lower part of which is partially fractured.

Gadh Kaleva Chowpatty

Why in News

• On February 17, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel gave instructions to start Gadh Kaleva Chowpatty for Chhattisgarhi and local cuisine in all district headquarters. In this episode, the Vice-Chairman of Surguja Development Authority and Ramanujganj MLA Brihaspat Singh inaugurated Gadh Kaleva Chowpatty at District Headquarters Balrampur.

Key Points

• While emphasizing on making women self-help groups self-supporting, MLA Brihaspat Singh said that Garh Kaleva Chowpatty has been started in the district headquarters by the Chhattisgarh government ensuring the participation of women self-help groups.
• With the opening of Gad Kalewa Chowpatty in the district headquarters, people will be able to taste Chhattisgarhi cuisine as well as local delicacies.
• In this Gadh Kaleva Chowpatty, stalls of various dishes have been set up by Lakshmi Self Help Group, Mango Self Help Group, Jeevan Palan Self Help Group, Durga Self Help Group and Shivshakti Self Help Group.