Exploring the rich multicultural history of Devon.

Ganesh comes to Exeter

Posted on

1st January 1879

Posted by

Cosmic

Posted in

Exeter Timeline

This beautiful statue of the Hindu deity Ganesh lives in Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum.

He was brought to Exeter by Sir John Budd Phear of Exmouth, who was a High Court judge in Bengal from 1864 to 1876. He has lived in the Museum since then.

In 2013, three members of Exeter’s Hindu community worked with the Museum to rewrite Ganesh’s description in order to bring in a richer Indian Hindu perspective. Find out more about their work in our film.