Museums take us on a journey through history, offering glimpses into bygone eras through artefacts that shaped world events and the evolution of humankind. Often, these spaces evoke a sense of spiritual connection too, even in faraway lands like the UK. Recently, an Indian living in the UK shared a heartfelt post after spotting idols of Lord Jagannath at a museum in Oxford.
Lord Jagannath Idol At Oxford Museum, UK
Taking to Instagram, Mita Mohapatra (@mitammohapatra) shared a video showing idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra inside a museum in Oxford, UK. Odisha-based Mita, now living in the UK, was pleasantly surprised after spotting the idol and shared a video of it on her social media, which quickly gained attention of many devotees and historians.
According to Times Now, the wooden statues were spotted at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. As per the museum website, the idols were purchased at a store near the Jagannath Puri temple in Odisha in 1894. “The figures on display are models of large temple deities,” the playcard on the museum showcase reads.
The museum’s website revealed that the three idols “required over 200 hours of conservation work between them.” While the statues themselves were in fairly good condition, the idols’ clothing was torn and needed restoration by the conservation team.
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More About The Museum
Located inside the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum displays the archaeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford. The entry to the museum is free, so you can enjoy a trip down history without paying a dime!
According to reports, the museum was established in 1884 by General Augustus Pitt Rivers. He donated his archaeological and ethnographic collection to the University and by 1892, the museum was fully open to the public.
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If you’re planning to visit the Oxford Museum anytime soon, make sure you check out the ancient idol of Lord Jagannath there!
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/mitammohapatra