"We stumbled on the erotic figure during a scientific clearance work by the Ranchi circle of ASI recently," Superintendent Archaeologist, T J Baidya, told PTI in Ranchi. The statue, which could date back to the 12th century, was found at the Benisagar, which is close to the Orissa border, he said.
The ministry of culture through the Archaeological Survey of India has asked all its 24 circles in the country to identify ten monuments each. Out of the 240 monuments selected, the ministry will shortlist 50 entries to be sent to the international body. Fifty monuments is the aim this time.
Bakshi and Chandrashekhar were put under suspension following the inquiry conducted by ASI Director General A Vaish, sources in New Delhi said.
R K Sharma was charged with approving construction work in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal in violation of ASI norms.
There are 3,691 centrally protected monuments and sites under the ASI.
The division bench of Chief Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday directed that a senior person from Archaeological Survey of India head the committee.
Soon after the Union Ministry of Culture decided on refusing US dollar payments for entry tickets to monuments in Agra due to the falling value of dollar against the Indian rupee, the Archaeological Survey of India is planning to lower the entry ticket cost for tourists belonging to the South Asian Association for Regional cooperation (Saarc) countries, bringing it down from Rs 750 to Rs 20.
Undeterred by last year's failure, India is having a second try at securing World Heritage Site from the UNESCO for the picturesque Majuli Island in Assam, which is also an important seat of Vaishnava culture.
The attack on Ambika Soni is aimed at stopping her return to the party during election time.
In the midst of a political controversy over the Sethusamudram project, the Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that there was no historical evidence to establish the existence of Lord Ram or the other characters in Ramayana.
In the wake of the deadly terror attacks in Mumbai last month, officials of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Central Industrial Security Force met in New Delhi on Monday to review the security arrangements at Taj Mahal, one of the most popular tourist spots in India.Even though the day-long meeting concluded without a final decision, a broad outline has been drawn up to enhance the security cover of the one of the world's seven wonders.
The pontiff's fresh peace initiative has been rejected by both the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board while the Centre has termed it as a 'personal initiative'.
Indian Oil Corporation will fund restoration of the Sun temple at Konark in Orissa, Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni said on Tuesday.
The court said the permission of the Archaeological Society of India and Union Home Ministry is necessary for the event.
The court, however, did not pass any orders as to who would foot the Rs 42.5-crore bill estimated by the committee for eco-restoration.
The team studied for two days till Thursday the inclination of the four minarets of the 17th century monument of love that was voted earlier this month as one of the new seven wonders of the world.
The Waqf Board declared Taj Mahal as its property on July 13.
The Archaeolological Survey of India on Friday filed a petition in the \n\nsupreme court challenging the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Wakf Board decision declaring the 17th\ncentury mughal monument Taj Mahal as Wakf property.
The deputy prime minister said the report will strengthen the party's position on the temple movement.
the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board on Tuesday filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to prevent the ASI from taking an ex parte order on the issue.
Describing the Waqf Board decision as "not in the interest of Taj Mahal," a representative of the Archaeological Survey of India, who attended the hearing, said it would challenge it in the court of law.
Three sets of the report were opened before the special/full Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court hearing the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits.
The request for 15 days' time will come up before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on July 1.
"Hawkers should be removed from all protected monuments," a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul observed.
The court said the Taj Mahal would remain open to public during moonlit nights as per schedule.
The puja, attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha at the premises of the Archaeological Survey of India-protected Martand Sun temple in Anantnag, was in violation of rules and the issue has been raised with the UT administration, ASI officials said on Monday.
The Delhi high court while hearing a petition challenging the ASI order opening up the disputed Bhojshala shrine said its counterpart in MP should decide the issue.
In what could be a turning point in the Ayodhya dispute, the Archaeological Survey of India has reported to the high court that its excavations found distinctive features of a 10th century temple beneath the Babri Mosque site.
ASI submits report on Ayodhya excavation
The special bench of the Allahabad high court also asked the Archaeological Survey of India to submit its final report by August 22.
The ASI has moved an application to that effect before the special Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court.
