1400-year-old ancient Hindu idols and Shivlings discovered during a spring restoration project in Kashmir
During spring restoration in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, ancient Hindu relics surfaced. The discovery includes idols and Shivlings at Karkoot Nag spring. The site is linked to the Karkoota dynasty. The Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums took custody of the items. The relics will be studied at the SPS Museum in Srinagar. Locals hope for preservation and temple restoration.
Agencies Idols found during spring restoration. Ancient Hindu idols and Shivlings were discovered during excavation work for a spring restoration project in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials confirmed on Saturday.According to PTI, the relics were unearthed at the Karkoot Nag spring in the Salia area of Aishmuqam, approximately 16 kilometres from the district headquarters. The site holds historical importance for the Kashmiri Pandit community and is believed to be linked to the Karkoota dynasty, which ruled Kashmir between 625 and 855 CE.
Labourers engaged in the revival project, led by the Public Works Department, found the artefacts during routine excavation.
Also Read: Indian Navy's missile destroyer, corvette and stealth frigate reach Philippines and Singapore wargames in China's backyard Following the discovery, officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums visited the location and took custody of the recovered items. A department official told PTI, "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 local Kashmiri Pandit told PTI that the region has historical links to the Karkoota dynasty and suggested that a temple might have once stood at the site or that the idols may have been preserved there intentionally. He also noted that the pond where the idols were found has long been regarded as sacred and a site of pilgrimage.'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 said.While the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums has not confirmed any plans to develop the site for religious or heritage tourism, conservation efforts are expected to follow once the evaluation is complete.(With inputs from PTI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Wire
3 hours ago
- The Wire
M3M Foundation Announces Batch 2 of ‘Neev Se Shikhar Tak': A Transformational Leadership & Mountaineering Initiative for Young Girls
Delhi, August 3, 2025: In celebration of 11 years of visionary leadership by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, M3M Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Batch 2 of its flagship initiative—'Neev Se Shikhar Tak'—a bold and inspiring mountaineering and leadership programme that empowers young girls from grassroots communities to rise to their fullest potential. The inaugural batch, flagged off by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Nayab Singh Saini, saw 11 daughters of Haryana courageously scale Sethi Dhar Peak (16,000 ft) after completing the Basic Mountaineering Course at ABVIMAS, Manali. Building on the overwhelming success of Batch 1, the Foundation is now inviting applications for Batch 2. In a significant expansion, the Foundation is welcoming applications not just from Haryana, but also from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, offering more young women an opportunity to embark on this transformative journey. This extraordinary expedition is guided by India's Fit India Ambassador, ensuring that each girl is motivated to push her physical, mental, and emotional boundaries—and truly climb beyond limits. Selected participants will receive rigorous training in rock craft (climbing, rappelling, jumaring), snow and ice craft (step cutting, ice axe arrest, crampon use), and rope work (knot making, anchoring, river crossing). They will also learn essential survival skills such as tent pitching, shelter building, and high-altitude living, along with leadership development focused on teamwork, discipline, and resilience—equipping them to conquer both mountains and life's challenges. Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee of M3M Foundation, shared her thoughts on the announcement "'Neev Se Shikhar Tak' is more than a mountaineering initiative—it is a leadership journey that begins at the grassroots and ascends toward greatness. These young girls are not just scaling peaks; they are breaking barriers and rewriting what is possible. With Batch 2, we are proud to extend this opportunity to aspiring daughters of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. Our mission is to ensure every girl with a dream is given the tools, training, and confidence to rise—physically, socially, and emotionally'. With its core aligned to the spirit of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', the initiative aims to empower adolescent girls through structured physical challenges, mentorship, and skill development—fostering confidence, independence, and leadership. Applicants can register to be a part of the second batch of M3M Foundation's 'Neev Se Shikhar Tak' by visiting (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Indias marine fish catch dips two per cent in 2024, Gujarat leads landings
Kochi, Aug 4 (PTI) India's marine fish catch fell slightly in 2024 to 3.47 million tonnes, down two per cent from the previous year, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) said on Monday. Gujarat landed the most fish for the year at 754,000 tonnes, followed by Tamil Nadu with 679,000 tonnes and Kerala with 610,000 tonnes, CMFRI said in its annual estimates. Indian mackerel topped the catch list at 263,000 tonnes, followed by oil sardine at 241,000 tonnes. Across the country, landings of mackerel, threadfin breams, oil sardine, ribbonfish, non-penaeid shrimps and cephalopods fell from 2023 levels. But catches of lesser sardines, penaeid shrimps, anchovies and tuna increased. While the west coast region suffered an overall decrease in landings, the east coast showed an increasing trend, with exceptions in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, it said. Maharashtra registered the highest growth of 47 per cent compared to the previous year. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha also saw notable increases of 35 per cent, 20 per cent and 18 per cent respectively, the release said. However, states like Karnataka, Goa, and Daman & Diu experienced significant declines in landings, it said. Mechanised crafts reported an average catch of 2,959 kg per trip, motorised crafts managed 174 kg per trip and non-motorised vessels recorded a modest 41 kg per trip, it said. The CMFRI report pointed out that cyclonic storms such as Dana, Fengal, Remal, and Asna significantly impacted fishing activities, contributing to the overall decline. Increased heatwave days in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala further disrupted fishing operations. Kerala recorded a marginal decrease of four per cent in the marine fish catch in 2024 compared to the previous year, totalling a landing of 6.10 lakh tonnes. Indian oil sardine topped the list of most caught species in the state with 1.49 lakh tonnes, registering a slight increase of 7.6 per cent. Indian mackerel (61,490 t), penaeid shrimp (44,630 t), anchovies (44,440 t) and threadfin breams (33,890 t) were the other major contributors to Kerala's total marine catch. Indian mackerel saw a decline of 16 per cent in landings. The year witnessed very low landing and higher landing of oil sardine in different quarters. The year saw an unusual fluctuation in oil sardine landings in the state. A severe scarcity in the first quarter led to prices escalating to Rs 350-400 per kg. However, from September onwards, as landings surged exceeding one lakh tonne in the last quarter, prices dropped sharply to Rs 20-30 per kg. Compared to 2023, southern districts of the state (Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam) saw a decline northern districts (Malappuram to Kasaragod) registered an increase in the landings. The Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics and Extension Division of the CMFRI estimated the annual marine fish landings of the country through its online data collection system. PTI TGB TGB ROH view comments First Published: August 04, 2025, 12:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
5 hours ago
- India Today
Janmashtami 2025: Will it be celebrated on August 15 or 16? Know the exact date
Janmashtami is one of the most celebrated and joyful Hindu festivals, marking the divine birth of Lord Krishna—the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Every year, this sacred day brings millions of devotees together across India and around the world. People sing bhajans, fast, decorate temples, and stay awake for midnight rituals when Krishna is believed to have been born. In 2025, Janmashtami will be observed in mid-August. However, there is some confusion about whether the festival falls on August 15 or 16, as the lunar calendar overlaps two days. Let's break down the exact date, auspicious timings (shubh muhurat), and how people across India will celebrate. JANMASHTAMI 2025: DATE CONFIRMED FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 The main Janmashtami holiday in 2025 is Saturday, August 16 This date is officially recognised by the Indian government and most public holiday calendars Some regions, especially those following Smarta traditions, may observe Janmashtami on August 15, but that day also marks India's Independence Day Hence, August 16 is the widely accepted and celebrated date for Janmashtami in 2025. WHY JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS SPAN AUGUST 15 AND 16 The festival is based on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth lunar day) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada In 2025, Ashtami Tithi starts at 11:49 PM on August 15 and ends at 9:34 PM on August 16 Since Lord Krishna's birth is believed to have happened at midnight, the spiritual core of the festival is the night of August 15–16 However, the main public celebrations, temple festivities, and official holiday fall on August 16. SHUBH MUHURAT: EXACT PUJA TIME AND AUSPICIOUS MOMENTS Event Date & Time Janmashtami Holiday Saturday, August 16, 2025 Ashtami Tithi Begins 11:49 PM on August 15, 2025 Ashtami Tithi Ends 9:34 PM on August 16, 2025 Nishita Puja (Midnight) 12:04 AM – 12:47 AM (August 17) Krishna Janma Moment 12:25 AM – 12:47 AM (August 17) Fast Break (Paran) Time After 9:34 PM on August 16 Janmashtami 2025 will be officially celebrated on Saturday, August 16, although the sacred midnight rituals begin late on August 15. While regional traditions may vary slightly, the heart of the celebration lies in devotion, fasting, and midnight puja. For those observing the festival or planning to participate in public events, August 16 is the key date to mark on your calendar. May this Janmashtami bring blessings, peace, and joy to all. - Ends
