Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai issued a clarification on Thursday (September 18) regarding his recent comments about the Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho, which had stirred significant controversy. He said, "I respect all religions," responding to claims that his statements had been misrepresented on social media.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-speaks-to-nepal-pm-sushila-karki-over-phone-says-will-help-restore-peace-and-stability-after-gen-z-protest-1758186478886">Modi speaks to Nepal PM Sushila Karki over phone, says will help ‘restore peace and stability’ after Gen Z protest</a>&nbsp;The clarification followed a judgment delivered earlier in the week, where CJI Gavai, leading a bench, dismissed a petition seeking the reconstruction and reinstallation of a seven-foot Lord Vishnu idol at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho complex in Madhya Pradesh. In his ruling, the CJI had remarked, "This is nothing but publicity-driven litigation. If you are a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, focus on prayer and meditation."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/71-year-old-us-citizen-invited-to-india-for-marriage-burnt-to-death-by-75-year-old-nri-groom-1758182893527">71-year-old US citizen invited to India for marriage, burnt to death by 75-year-old NRI groom</a>&nbsp;He also highlighted that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had jurisdiction over such matters and suggested the petitioner could visit the nearby Shiva Temple while the case remained unresolved. "If you are open to Shaivism, there is a significant Shiva linga at Khajuraho," he added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-is-the-pm-of-india-an-important-man-abhilash-tomy-remembers-narendra-modi-s-call-after-his-rescue-from-shipwreck-1758181997038">Abhilash Tomy remembers Narendra Modi's phone call after his rescue from shipwreck, in heartfelt birthday wish to Indian PM</a>&nbsp;However, the remarks sparked outrage, with several Hindu organizations accusing the CJI of mocking religious beliefs. Some social media users called for his impeachment, and prominent figures, such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar, urged restraint in courtroom speech. Legal professionals also sent letters to the Chief Justice of India, asking him to retract his comments, stressing the need to preserve the dignity of all religions. One letter specifically urged the Supreme Court and the President to address the matter seriously.

Chief Justice BR Gavai clarified that he respects all religions after his remarks about a Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho sparked controversy. His comments, dismissing a petition for idol restoration, drew strong reactions

Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai issued a clarification on Thursday (September 18) regarding his recent comments about the Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho, which had stirred significant controversy. He said, "I respect all religions," responding to claims that his statements had been misrepresented on social media. Also Read: Modi speaks to Nepal PM Sushila Karki over phone, says will help ‘restore peace and stability’ after Gen Z protest The clarification followed a judgment delivered earlier in the week, where CJI Gavai, leading a bench, dismissed a petition seeking the reconstruction and reinstallation of a seven-foot Lord Vishnu idol at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho complex in Madhya Pradesh. In his ruling, the CJI had remarked, "This is nothing but publicity-driven litigation. If you are a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, focus on prayer and meditation." Also Read: 71-year-old US citizen invited to India for marriage, burnt to death by 75-year-old NRI groom He also highlighted that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had jurisdiction over such matters and suggested the petitioner could visit the nearby Shiva Temple while the case remained unresolved. "If you are open to Shaivism, there is a significant Shiva linga at Khajuraho," he added. Also Read: Abhilash Tomy remembers Narendra Modi's phone call after his rescue from shipwreck, in heartfelt birthday wish to Indian PM However, the remarks sparked outrage, with several Hindu organizations accusing the CJI of mocking religious beliefs. Some social media users called for his impeachment, and prominent figures, such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar, urged restraint in courtroom speech. Legal professionals also sent letters to the Chief Justice of India, asking him to retract his comments, stressing the need to preserve the dignity of all religions. One letter specifically urged the Supreme Court and the President to address the matter seriously.

Chief Justice BR Gavai clarified that he respects all religions after his remarks about a Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho sparked controversy. His comments, dismissing a petition for idol restoration, drew strong reactions

'I respect all religions', says CJI BR Gavai amid backlash over Khajuraho remarks

A centuries-old statue of Lord Vishnu, unearthed recently from the Krishna river in south Indian state of Karnataka's Raichur district, has features similar to the idol of Ram Lalla that was consecrated this January at the Ram Mandir&nbsp;in the northern holy city of Ayodhya, according to reports citing an expert.

The Vishnu idol features all the 10 'dashavatara' (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, like the idol of Ram Lalla, news agency PTI reported citing the expert. 
 
An ancient 'Shivling', a holy structure for the Hindu faith, was also discovered along with the statue in the Krishna river.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ancient-vishnu-idol-shivling-found-in-karnataka-riverbed-687930">India: Ancient Vishnu idol, ‘Shivling’ found in Krishna river of Karnataka</a>

“This idol must have adored the sanctum sanctorum of a temple and must have been dropped in the river at the time of possible destruction of the temple,” PTI quoted&nbsp;Dr Padmaja Desai, a lecturer in ancient history and archaeology at Raichur University, as saying.

Idol&nbsp;has&nbsp;Lord Vishnu's 10 incarnations

Speaking about the special features of the Vishnu idol found in the Krishna river, Desai told the news agency, “The idol of Vishnu found in the Krishna river basin has special striking features."

"The aura around Vishnu shows 'dashavatara' such as Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Rama, Parashurama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki.”

The professor further described the idol&nbsp;and said that Lord Vishnu has been depicted as having four arms and his two upper hands are holding the 'chakra' and 'shankha'. She added that the two lower hands are placed in the position of granting boons ('kati hasta' and 'varada hasta'). 
 
“Vishnu is depicted as having four arms with two upper hands holding the 'Shanka' and 'Chakra'.

"The two down hands are placed in the position of granting boons (kati hasta and varada hasta),” she said. 
 
According to the PTI report, the lecturer said the idol has a striking resemblance with Venkateshwara as has been described in the Vedas. 
 
“This sculpture is made of the Black Granite stone. It belongs to 11th century in the period of Kalayama Chalukya period,” the professor said.

Watch:&nbsp;Ram Mandir Ayodhya: Moment Ram Lalla's face unveiled

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ram-mandir-ayodhya-moment-ram-lallas-face-unveiled-682387/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, the idol does not have Garuda, Vishnu's bird, which is a characteristic typically found in Vishnu idols. 
 
In the idol, a pair of women are seen holding fans. Even though Lord Vishnu is fond of decoration, the idol shows a smiling Vishnu who is adorned with ornaments and garlands. 
 
According to the archaeologists, the idol is believed to have belonged to the 11th or 12th Century AD.

(With inputs from agencies)

A centuries-old statue of Lord Vishnu, unearthed recently from the Krishna river in south Indian state of Karnataka's Raichur district, has features similar to the idol of Ram Lalla that was consecrated this January at the Ram Mandir in the northern holy city of Ayodhya, according to reports citing an expert.

A centuries-old statue of Lord Vishnu, unearthed recently from the Krishna river in south Indian state of Karnataka's Raichur district, has features similar to the idol of Ram Lalla that was consecrated this January at the Ram Mandir in the northern holy city of Ayodhya, according to reports citing an expert. The Vishnu idol features all the 10 'dashavatara' (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, like the idol of Ram Lalla, news agency PTI reported citing the expert. An ancient 'Shivling', a holy structure for the Hindu faith, was also discovered along with the statue in the Krishna river. Also Read: India: Ancient Vishnu idol, ‘Shivling’ found in Krishna river of Karnataka “This idol must have adored the sanctum sanctorum of a temple and must have been dropped in the river at the time of possible destruction of the temple,” PTI quoted Dr Padmaja Desai, a lecturer in ancient history and archaeology at Raichur University, as saying. Idol has Lord Vishnu's 10 incarnations Speaking about the special features of the Vishnu idol found in the Krishna river, Desai told the news agency, “The idol of Vishnu found in the Krishna river basin has special striking features." "The aura around Vishnu shows 'dashavatara' such as Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Rama, Parashurama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki.” The professor further described the idol and said that Lord Vishnu has been depicted as having four arms and his two upper hands are holding the 'chakra' and 'shankha'. She added that the two lower hands are placed in the position of granting boons ('kati hasta' and 'varada hasta'). “Vishnu is depicted as having four arms with two upper hands holding the 'Shanka' and 'Chakra'. "The two down hands are placed in the position of granting boons (kati hasta and varada hasta),” she said. According to the PTI report, the lecturer said the idol has a striking resemblance with Venkateshwara as has been described in the Vedas. “This sculpture is made of the Black Granite stone. It belongs to 11th century in the period of Kalayama Chalukya period,” the professor said. Watch: Ram Mandir Ayodhya: Moment Ram Lalla's face unveiled However, the idol does not have Garuda, Vishnu's bird, which is a characteristic typically found in Vishnu idols. In the idol, a pair of women are seen holding fans. Even though Lord Vishnu is fond of decoration, the idol shows a smiling Vishnu who is adorned with ornaments and garlands. According to the archaeologists, the idol is believed to have belonged to the 11th or 12th Century AD. (With inputs from agencies)

Ancient statue of Lord Vishnu found in Krishna river has striking resemblance to Ram Lalla idol: Report

An ancient idol of Lord Vishnu has been unearthed near Krishna river in India's southern state of Karnataka. Lord Vishnu is considered as one of the principle Hindu deity.

Karanataka: Old Vishnu idol, Shivling found near Krishna river; A milestone for historians

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'I respect all religions', says CJI BR Gavai amid backlash over Khajuraho remarks

Ancient statue of Lord Vishnu found in Krishna river has striking resemblance to Ram Lalla idol: Report

Karanataka: Old Vishnu idol, Shivling found near Krishna river; A milestone for historians