Bhubaneswar, Dec. 27: The six Jain idols excavated from Ambadola village in Rayagada district are set to become the latest attraction at Odisha State Museum here.
The sixth-ninth century idols are of the eighth Jain Tirthankar Chandraprabha.
"All the idols are intact. They idols were unearthed by Archaeological Survey of India and they have handed it over to us for preservation," said museum superintendent in charge Jayanti Rath.
The idols would be displayed for the public on December 29, the museum's 58th foundation day.
"The collection holds a lot of importance for the state's Jain community. With the tourist season being at its peak now, the idols would attract a lot of visitors," said Rath.
Jainism was established in Kalinga by the fourth century BC. The state museum has idols of seven Tirthankars, from Risabhanath to Mahavira, on display.
The state museum is planning to set up four new galleries for patta chitra, freedom fighters of Odisha, human evolution and Odisha through the ages.
"We have tied up with the National Council of Science Museums to set up the new galleries. There are plans to install audio-visual guides to make the galleries technologically advanced," said culture and tourism minister Ashok Panda.
Ahead of the foundation day celebrations, a two-day workshop on protection of heritage sites was inaugurated at the museum today.
Focus will be given on the pattachitra and freedom fighters galleries.
"At present, we have a small section on the history of patta chitra in Odisha but a separate gallery would be set up where the evolution of patta chitra art over the years will be shown," said Rath.
"These days, patta chitra is used on a number of contemporary items and samples of those would be preserved in the gallery for the future," he said.
The gallery for freedom fighters would have information on the struggle against British rule. It would also include a special section dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and his association with Odisha.
The mining and geology gallery is also being renovated in collaboration with the Odisha Mining Corporation.
