Monuments belonging to 11-12th century BC relocated at safer placesBhopal:Sunday, July 6, 2008:Excavations at 13 different sites in Narmada valley had exposed many prehistoric remains of Narmada valley. These remains support the view that Narmada valley civilization had been one of the ancient civilizations of Asia.
The extensive excavations at selected sites had been carried out under the ambitious plan of the Narmada valley Development Authority aimed at protecting archaeological wealth of the valley. It may be mentioned here that a large area of Narmada valley had come under submergence due to Sardar Sarovar, Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar projects. A total of about 80 thousand habitat families in reservoir area had been rehabilitated. Besides shifting civil population, NVDA had made plan to relocate the monuments of archaeological importance from reservoir area.
Narmada valley civilization has been recognized as one of the oldest civilizations of Asia. NVDA will leave no stone unturned in protecting the archeological monuments of the valley. We had successfully done shifting and reconstructing these monuments in their original form. Besides, excavation at various places had been completed. We would welcome suggestions on this issue from archeologists, historians across the country.
– Pradeep Bhargava (Vice Chairman)
The plan had been carried out by state archaeological dept. and archaeological survey of India (ASI) had also assisted in the task. Out of 13 identified sites 12 had been excavated by state archeological dept and one site named Naorataori in Khargone dist. was excavated by ASI. These excavations had exposed large number of valuable remains of Narmada valley ancient civilization. These remains which includes idols, chatrees plant and animal fossils are being taken care by using various chemical and other treatments. Replicas of important idols have also been prepared for preservation of micro minor archeological features. For protecting and displaying these archaeological pieces, a museum has been made at Kasrawad. Now looking at large number of archeological material and replicas, the three gallery Kasrawad museum would be extended by constructing four new galleries. Informing this V.C. of NVDA Shri Pradeep Bhargav said that conservation of archaeological monuments of the valley has been a priority of the authority.
In addition to the excavation, 25 large temples and monuments had been shifted from the SSP, ISP and OSP reservoir areas. These monuments had been relocated and reconstructed in their original form. It may be mentioned here that 10 monuments affected by ISP reservoir in Khandwa, Harda and Dewas dist. and 6 monuments affected by OSP reservoir in Khandwa and Dewas dist. had been relocated. Similarly 9 monuments affected by SSP reservoir in Dhar, Jhabua and Barwani dist. had also been relocated at safer places. Most of these monuments dated 11th, 12th and 16th century BC. The shifting and relocation work of 3 Shiva Temples, one Someshwar temple, one Pashupateshwar temple and one Devpratiling temple is in progress. Three large idols of Vishnu Garud, Shankarshan and Narshingha Avatar had been found in Khujawa, district Dhar. These idols are situated over the submergence line of Sardar Sarovar. A team of archaeologists and local officials has been constituted to decide about shifting relocation or strengthening these monuments
The V.C. N.V.D.A. directed the officers of archaeology department and local administration to take the local people into confidence and give weightage to their suggestions while shifting and relocation of the monuments. Shri Bhargav directed to submit drawings for proposed four new galleries in the existing museum at Kasrawad. Shri Bhargav informed that a separate section on the literature pertaining to the Narmada valley would also be developed in NVDA head quarters.