DT
PT
Subscribe To Print Edition About The Tribune Code Of Ethics Download App Advertise with us Classifieds
search-icon-img
search-icon-img
Advertisement

Ancient Hindu idols recovered during excavation in J-K’s Anantnag

The idols and ‘Shivlings’ are recovered at Karkoot Nag in Salia area of Aishmuqam
  • fb
  • twitter
  • whatsapp
  • whatsapp
featured-img featured-img
Officials address the media about the discovery of ancient idols during excavation at a shrine, in Anantnag district of J&K, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Advertisement

Ancient Hindu idols were recovered during excavation work for the renovation of a spring in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials said.

Advertisement

The idols and 'Shivlings' were recovered at Karkoot Nag in Salia area of Aishmuqam in the south Kashmir district.

The site holds significance for Kashmiri Pandits, who associate it with the Karkoota dynasty that ruled Kashmir from 625 to 855 CE.

Advertisement

The Public Works Department is undertaking revival and restoration works in the spring and the labourers recovered the idols during the excavation work, officials said on Saturday.

They said the officials of the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums visited the site, and added the idols will be sent to Srinagar for material and dating testing to determine their age and origins.

Advertisement

"We will shift them to SPS museum where they will be studied by research scholars and the department," they said.

According to a Kashmiri Pandit, "There has been an impact of the Karkoota dynasty in this area, so there is a probability that a temple might have been there or someone might have kept them there for preservation."

He said the site, 16 km from the district headquarters, has been a pilgrimage centre.

"These were recovered from the sacred pond. Some Shivlings, a sculpture and other items have been recovered. We want them to be protected. We have heard there used to be a temple here so a new temple be built here and these 'Shivlings' be kept there," he said.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
tlbr_img1 Classifieds tlbr_img2 Videos tlbr_img3 Premium tlbr_img4 E-Paper tlbr_img5 Shorts