Sajanagad: The remains of an ancient Shiva Temple were found on the bed of the Sona river near Kathapal in the Machhua panchayat of Nilagiri block Thursday.
Some people were fishing in the river when they stumbled upon the ancient temple’s ruins. As news spread, people from nearby villages rushed to see the ruins.
Several temples were built in Ayodhya panchayat nearby. Some ancient stone statues are being worshipped at different places. Maa Maricha temple is one of them.
The state government has built a museum there, and has preserved ancient artifacts, weapons and statues.
Some locals who know the history of the area said that Ayodhya once had Buddhist, Jain and Baishnavite cultures. The area was known as Ratnagad. Many archeological remains have been found in the area.
It is believed that Sona river came into existence in the 16th century and before that human habitations used to exist there. But the habitations were swallowed by the river over the years.
The temple is believed to be of that time. Locals demanded immediate excavations at the place to find out the history of the place.
PNN