Mumbai: On January 14, the clearing of a clogged drain at Unit 20 in Aarey Colony revealed a circular stone carved with a floral design all around. The disc-like stone is 1.5ft in diameter and is 8 inches in thickness.
“It was covered with cow dung, but there was something different about it. So I washed it to remove the cow dung, and it revealed this beautiful design. Since in past several years I found many such stone artefacts in this area, I knew it was part of the temple complex. I took pictures and forwarded them to people who study archaeology, and they confirmed it was ancient. I then wrote an email to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and I am awaiting a response,” said Juber Ansari, the voluntary caretaker of the 12-13th century temple complex in Aarey Colony.
Ansari’s home at the temple site was recently demolished, and he was forced to move out of the area.
In Jan 2023, the ASI, following emails from Ansari, conducted a site inspection and in its report stated that temple remains lie in the Aarey Milk Dairy premises.
“The remains are of basalt and comprise architectural members like parts of pillars, a slab of Bharvahakas (weight-bearers), and three shikhras strewn in the area.”
It also mentions that weathered shikhara are embedded in the SEEPZ boundary wall. “An image of the Goddess Chamunda, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, may be retrieved from the site by the volunteer caretaker Zuber Ansari, a local resident, who is seen at the site,” reads the report. The ASI report recommended a detailed study of the site.
Over 170 Aarey Conservation Group members have now written to CM Devendra Fadnavis to carry out exploration, excavation, and protection of the temple site.
“We have been approaching the office of the collector since May 2023, and all our efforts have not been taken seriously. Recently, illegal digging/excavation was carried out at this site by some miscreants,” reads the letter.
Members said the artefacts are of historical importance and must not get lost or stolen by miscreants, and hence the govt must step in to protect the site.
“It was covered with cow dung, but there was something different about it. So I washed it to remove the cow dung, and it revealed this beautiful design. Since in past several years I found many such stone artefacts in this area, I knew it was part of the temple complex. I took pictures and forwarded them to people who study archaeology, and they confirmed it was ancient. I then wrote an email to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and I am awaiting a response,” said Juber Ansari, the voluntary caretaker of the 12-13th century temple complex in Aarey Colony.
Ansari’s home at the temple site was recently demolished, and he was forced to move out of the area.
In Jan 2023, the ASI, following emails from Ansari, conducted a site inspection and in its report stated that temple remains lie in the Aarey Milk Dairy premises.
“The remains are of basalt and comprise architectural members like parts of pillars, a slab of Bharvahakas (weight-bearers), and three shikhras strewn in the area.”
It also mentions that weathered shikhara are embedded in the SEEPZ boundary wall. “An image of the Goddess Chamunda, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, may be retrieved from the site by the volunteer caretaker Zuber Ansari, a local resident, who is seen at the site,” reads the report. The ASI report recommended a detailed study of the site.
Over 170 Aarey Conservation Group members have now written to CM Devendra Fadnavis to carry out exploration, excavation, and protection of the temple site.
“We have been approaching the office of the collector since May 2023, and all our efforts have not been taken seriously. Recently, illegal digging/excavation was carried out at this site by some miscreants,” reads the letter.
Members said the artefacts are of historical importance and must not get lost or stolen by miscreants, and hence the govt must step in to protect the site.
