Beijing, Feb 23 (IANS): The head of an ancient Buddhist sculpture stolen in 1996 from Youju Temple in China's Hebei province is set to return to the country, the media reported on Tuesday.
The sculpture, made of white marble, dates back to the North Qi (550-557 AD) of South and North Dynasties, the People's Daily reported.
During the 20 years, the stolen Buddha head was shipped overseas and bought by a private collector who donated it to Fo Guang Shan Temple in Taiwan.
The National Museum in Beijing will organise a ceremony on March 1 to mark the return of the relic, which will be placed in the permanent collection of the Hebei Museum.