New Delhi

Remnants of a Shiva temple having two shrines were found during an excavation carried out at Jami Masjid mosque and its adjacent areas in Gujarat about 35 years ago, the government informed the Rajya Sabha last week(10 December 2014).

Replying to a question whether two ancient Shiva temples were traced in Jami Masjid at Sidhpur district in Gujarat between May, 1979 and April, 1980 in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma said that “while exposing parts of mosque and adjacent area after removal of modern buildings, the remnants of a Shiva temple having two shrines were found.”

On the details of scientific excavations carried out at the archaeological monuments of Rudramahalaya and Jami Masjid at Sidhpur district of Patan in Gujarat during the same period, he said plinth of the temple was exposed and sculptures, architectural members, decorative mouldings were found after scientific excavations.

To a question on the present status of planning and development for clearance operations, preservation of ruins of Rudramahalaya and Jami Masjid, he said that in the clearance operations, modern buildings adjacent to Jami Masjid, obstructing the view of these monuments, have been removed.

The works attended includes clearance of debris, pathways, stone paving around Torana and construction of compound wall, he added.

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