ASI Unearths Sculptures of ‘Lord Vishnu’, ‘Hanuman’ in Gyanvapi Mosque Complex

Varanasi: The presence of remnants of Hindu idols like that of Lord Vishnu and Lord Hanuman has been found on the Gyanvapi mosque complex, stated the report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The new artefacts unearthed by the ASI hint that other deities were also worshipped at the spot apart from Lord Shiva. The ASI excavation discovered various other deities.

The lower half of a sculpture of Hanuman, with one leg placed on a rock, was found.

An early medieval sculpture fragment showing a half-human, half-snake figure has also been documented.

Other discoveries include a broken back-slab of a four-handed Vishnu seated in a traditional posture, holding a chakra and shankha.

Another Late medieval sculpture is the lower part of Hanuman’s image, with feet firmly set, one upon a rock.

Two more sculptures of Vishnu, one depicting the deity standing on a pedestal with three of his four hands and face badly, another showing a devotee and an attendant by Vishnu’s side, have been found.

A late medieval sculpture portraying the upper half of Hanuman, with one hand gripping a ‘gada’ has been documented by the ASI from the Gyanvapi complex.