GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Culture

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2824
TO BE ANSWERED ON 2.5.2012
VAISAKHA 12, 1934(SAKA)
Discovery of Ancient Nandi Statues in Mysore Outskirts

2824. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

 (a)   whether it is a fact that In one of the biggest archaeological finds in recent times, archaeologists have found two ancient giant Nandi (Bull) statues, which are about 400-500 years old, in the outskirts of Mysore; and

(b)   lf so, the steps Government is taking to preserve these heritage monuments?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND
MINISTER OF CULTURE
(KUMARI SELJA)

(a)   The two Nandi statues reported in a local newspaper are not a recent discovery. They are located in Village Arasana Keri in Jayapura Hobli of Mysore Taluk & District and belong to the medieval period.

(b)   At present these Nandi statues are not protected either by the Archaeological Survey of India or by the State Archaeological Department, Government of Karnataka.