Ancient Hindu idols unearthed in J&K's Anantnag district
NEW DELHI: Ancient Hindu idols and Shivlings have been discovered during excavation work for a spring restoration project in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials confirmed on Saturday.
According to news agency PTI, the relics were unearthed at the Karkoot Nag spring in Aishmuqam's Salia area, about 16 kilometres from the district headquarters. The site is historically significant to the Kashmiri Pandit community and is believed to be associated with the Karkoota dynasty, which ruled Kashmir between 625 and 855 CE.
The artefacts were found by labourers working on a revival project led by the Public Works Department.
Following the discovery, officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums visited the site and took possession of the recovered items.
"The idols and sculptures will be sent to the SPS Museum in Srinagar, where research scholars and department experts will study them to determine their age and historical context," a department official said.
Speaking to reporters, a local Kashmiri Pandit said, 'There has been an influence of the Karkoota dynasty in this region, so a temple may have existed here or the idols may have been preserved here deliberately.'
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He also said the pond where the idols were found has long been regarded as sacred and a pilgrimage centre.
'We want these artefacts to be preserved. We have heard that a temple once stood here. A new temple should be built, and the Shivlings reinstalled there,' he added.
The department has not confirmed whether the site will be developed for religious or heritage tourism, but conservation efforts are likely to follow once the study is complete.
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