In a bizarre and potentially miraculous incident, a local fisherman in Odisha’s Puri district stumbled upon what could be a sacred relic while casting his net for a routine catch.
Prakash Chandra Swain, a resident of Beladal village, was fishing under the newly constructed bridge near the Puri-Konark main road when his net snagged something far more extraordinary than fish – a two-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, crafted from ashtadhatu (an alloy of eight metals) and weighing over 30 kilograms.
The idol, which bears the inscription “Baba Banambreswar” on its base, was discovered in the shallow waters close to the Puri Sadar police station area. Swain, who was out early in the morning, initially thought he had hooked debris or stolen scrap metal. Upon pulling it ashore, he realised its religious significance and promptly alerted the authorities, suspecting it might have been stolen and discarded by thieves.
“I was just trying to catch some fish for my family when the net got heavy. I never imagined it would be something like this – it’s like Baba himself came to me,” Swain recounted to reporters outside the police station.
Police from Puri Sadar station rushed to the scene, seized the statue, and have launched an investigation to trace its origins. Preliminary checks suggest the idol’s antique craftsmanship, but its exact age and provenance remain under scrutiny. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information on missing temple artefacts, as the inscription points to a possible link with the historic Banambreswar Shiva temple in the region.
This unusual find has sparked a wave of devotion among locals, with many viewing it as a divine sign ahead of the upcoming festive season. Devotees have already begun gathering near the site, offering prayers and speculating on the statue’s journey into the river. The incident echoes similar tales of submerged idols resurfacing in Odisha’s sacred waters, blending folklore with the everyday lives of coastal communities.
As the probe continues, the statue is under secure custody at the police station, awaiting expert examination from archaeologists and temple authorities. More details are expected as the investigation unfolds.
