New Delhi, Feb 11 (PTI) The Indian consulate in Milan on Friday said a "very special" 'Avalokiteshwara Padamapani' idol has been recovered over 20 years after it was smuggled out of India.

"The idol survived for almost 1200 years in the Devisthan Kundulpur temple till it was illicitly stolen and smuggled out of India in early 2000," it said.

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The consulate further said, "The stone idol dates back to 8th-12th century. Avalokiteshwara is depicted standing, holding the stem of a blossoming lotus in his left hand."

In Buddhism, Avalokiteshwara is the bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.

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"It is learnt that the said sculpture had briefly surfaced in the art market in France, before being located in Milan Italy. India Pride Project, Singapore and Art Recovery International, London swiftly assisted in identification and return of the stolen idol," the consulate said in a statement.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)