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 KM 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 lead by the public work department found the artefacts during routine excavation.
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 officials told PTI, ” The idols and sculptures will be sent to the SPS museum in Shri Nagar, where research scholars and department experts will study them to determine there age and historical context.”
A local Kashmiri pandit told PTI that the region has historical links to Karkoota dynasty and suggested that a temple might have once stood at the site or that the idols may have been preserved their intentionally. He also noted that the pond where the idols were found has long been regarded as sacred and site of pilgrimage.
” We want this artifacts to be preserved. We have heard that a temple once stood here. A new temple should be build and the shivling reinstalled their,” he said.