Museum of Oxford displays 800-year-old Ganesha statue

An 800-year-old Hindu sculpture is on display alongside objects from Oxford's Hindu community.

The statue of the god Ganesha forms the centrepiece to the 40 Years, 40 Objects exhibition at the Museum of Oxford.

Members of the public were asked to donate items of significance from their own lives to the exhibition.

The Ganesha statue, on loan from the British Museum, is sitting alongside statues donated by members of Oxford's Hindu community.

The statue is currently touring seven museums, including Bournemouth, Bradford, Birmingham, London and County Durham.

The statue dates back 800 years and is from eastern India

Antonia Harland-Lang, who worked with members of the community to curate the 40 Years, 40 Objects exhibition, said: "It is great to display Ganesha in an exhibition that aims to provide alternative and exciting views of Oxford and includes objects which have been chosen by local people to reflect their local community."

Ganesha is one of the most popular Hindu deities and is depicted with an elephant's head on a human body.

He is prayed to particularly when people are beginning a new enterprise and is known as the patron god of travelling.