Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for India on September 25, 2021, after concluding his visit to the US. Along with him, he has brought home 157 artefacts and antiquities handed over by the US during his three-day visit.
The prime minister reportedly conveyed his deep appreciation for the repatriation of antiquities, which includes items ranging from exquisite bronze Nataraja from the 12th century and a one-and-half metre bas relief panel of Revanta in sandstone from the 10th century.
The returned collection also includes 45 artefacts that belong to the Before Common Era. About 71 items are cultural artefacts, while the rest are figurines related to Hinduism (60), Buddhism (16) and Jainism (9). The material used to create the antiquities range from metal, stone, and terracotta.
Ornate figurines of Lakshmi Narayana, Buddha, Vishnu, Siva Parvathi and 24 Jain Tirthankaras are primarily made of bronze. The motifs handed over by the US include religious sculptures related to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Some secular motifs such as an amorphous couple in Samabhanga, chowri bearer, female playing drum, three-headed Brahma, Chariot Driving Surya, Vishnu and his Consorts, Siva as Dakshinamurti, and Dancing Ganesha among others are part of the religious motifs. Other religious motifs include standing Buddha, Boddhisattva Manjushri, Tara, Jain Tirthankara, Padmasana Tirthankara and Jaina Choubisi.
