Students study the exhibits. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Sept. 29: In a bid to spread awareness among the common masses and school students about the state’s archaeological sites for the first time, the state art and culture department organised a two-day museum exhibition and competition at Tribal Research Institute, Morabadi, today.

Around 45 exhibits, dated between 12th and 18th centuries, including the statue of lord Shiv in Tamar, statues of goddess Durga and Ganesha at Benisagar, Singhbhum and Palamau fort in Latehar district found place in the exhibition.

Other major attractions were information and representation of groups of temples in Maluti village of Dumka, Navratna ghar of Nagwanshi ruler in Gumla, Jami mosque of Dumka, Mortelo tower in Pakur, Shiv temple at Benisagar, the king’s outhouse (Sangi Dalan) in Rajmahal, Nagpuri darwaza in Pala- mau and Jhinjhin hill with the Shiva temple at Bedo block.

More than 2,000 students of classes X-XII from different districts of the state were seen thronging the event to gain knowledge about monuments, forts and temples of the state. They later participated in the essay and elocution competition based on heritage and importance of the sites.

A student of Class XII of SS Doranda Girl’s High School, Priyanka Kumari, said that she was unaware of such historical sites in the state.

“This exhibition would help us to enrich our knowledge of our history lessons,” she said.

Students also seemed eager to gain knowledge about exhibits and stone statues found at the Ichhagarh museum, Singhbhum district.

“The stone statue of a dancing Ganesha dating back to the 12th century in Ichhagarh is the pride of this museum. Even the two-feet stone statue of Lord Vishnu of Ichhagarh and Shri Vahini Durga of the 12th century is worth watching,” said Class XII student of Bal Krishna High School Shilpi Kumari.

H.P. Sinha, the assistant director of state art and culture department, said they have plans to conserve 15-20 heritage sites, including forts and temples.

“We got this proposal from the Thirteenth Finance Commission. We have decided to take up the conservation work within two years,” he said.

“With no heritage site on its tourism menu, the state art and culture department has decided to hold talks with the tourism department and ITDC for the development of heritage sites according to the proposal from the Thirteenth Finance Commission,” added the assistant director.

A.K. Singh, the secretary of state tourism department, said that the state art and culture department is yet to approach them. “But if the department approaches us, we are going to develop the various sites into major tourist destinations,” added Singh.