Shivlings And Ancient Hindu Idols Recovered During Excavation In J-K's Anantnag District

Last Updated:August 03, 2025, 09:16 IST

Ancient Hindu idols and Shivlings were found in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, possibly dating back to the Karkoota dynasty. The artifacts will be studied in Srinagar.

Ancient Hindu Idols Recovered During Excavation In J-K's Anantnag District (Photo:PTI)

Ancient Hindu idols and ‘Shivlings’ were discovered during excavation work for the renovation of a spring in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The artifacts were found at Karkoot Nag in Salia area of Aishmuqam in south Kashmir.

This site is significant to Kashmiri Pandits, who link it to the Karkoota dynasty that ruled Kashmir from 625 to 855 CE. Labourers unearthed the idols during restoration work being conducted by the Public Works Department, officials said on Saturday.

As per the officials, PWD was undertaking revival and restoration works in the spring and the labourers recovered the idols during the excavation work.

Officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums visited the site and announced the idols would be sent to Srinagar for material and dating tests to determine their age and origins.

“We will shift them to SPS museum where they will be studied by research scholars and the department," officials were quoted by PTI.

A Kashmiri Pandit told PTI, “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, about 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, and so a new temple be built here and these ‘Shivlings’ be kept there," he said.

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Anantnag, India, India

First Published:

August 03, 2025, 09:16 IST

News india Shivlings And Ancient Hindu Idols Recovered During Excavation In J-K's Anantnag District

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