Goa state museum acquires three new sculptures

Panaji: The Goa state museum has acquired three artefacts, and is in the process of carbon dating them to determine their age and historical context. The museum’s latest acquisitions are a Gajalaxmi sculpture found in Curti, Ponda, and two statues from the Shree Shivnath Devasthan, Shiroda — a Shivling and a Nandi.
“The carbon dating process will help us place these artefacts within a specific historical time frame, helping us understand their interpretation and contextualisation,” said museum director Vasu Usapkar.
The centrepiece of this acquisition is the Gajalaxmi sculpture, a portrayal of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi seated gracefully in Padmasana (lotus position) on an elephant pedestal. Discovered during some construction work, the deity delicately holds lotus buds, and is adorned with a necklace.
“This sculpture represents a blend of artistic beauty and religious symbolism, offering insights into the iconography of the goddess Lakshmi in historical Goa,” said museum curator Manisha Govekar.
The two sculptures have been handed to the museum by temple authorities.
The Shivling, revered to as a symbol of Shiva, holds profound religious significance across India. “Found in Shiroda’s Shivnathi area, the village itself is revered as a place of worship,” said Govekar.
Also found at the Shree Shivnath Devasthan in Shiroda was the Nandi statue. “The Nandi, a bull and the divine vehicle of Shiva, traditionally faces the main shrine in Shiva temples, symbolising devotion and guardianship,” Govekar further said.
These sculptures are among the museum’s recent acquisitions.
TOI reported on its Monday edition that the museum recently acquired two invaluable artefacts dating back to the pre-Liberation era — a sewing machine, and a collection of exquisite hand-embroidery and crochet works which were donated by local families.