Police said on Friday that on Thursday, a fisherman identified as Nazir Ahmad Latoo, a resident of Shaltang/Zogyar, reported to Police Station Sheeri, Baramulla, that he had recovered a stone sculpture while fishing in the River Jhelum.
Photo: SNS
An ancient sculpture of goddess Durga, believed to be over 1200 years old, has been recovered from the River Jhelum in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Police said on Friday that on Thursday, a fisherman identified as Nazir Ahmad Latoo, a resident of Shaltang/Zogyar, reported to Police Station Sheeri, Baramulla, that he had recovered a stone sculpture while fishing in the River Jhelum. The sculpture was immediately brought to the notice of police authorities and kept in safe custody at the Police Station Sheri.
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Subsequently, on 26 December, after due procedure and official directions from the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology & Museums, J&K, the stone sculpture—identified as Goddess Durga—was formally handed over by Baramulla Police to officials of the Archaeology Wing, Srinagar, through a proper handover process.
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J&K Police reiterates its commitment to the protection of cultural heritage and urges citizens to promptly inform authorities about any such discoveries of historical or archaeological importance, said a police spokesman.
It is worth mentioning that several idols of Hindu gods and goddesses have, in the recent past, been recovered from the Jhelum and other water bodies in south, central, and north Kashmir.
In August 2021, the police recovered an old sculpture of goddess Durga in central Kashmir’s Budgam. The sculpture of goddess Durga dates back roughly to the 7th-8th AD. The sculpture was 12″x08″ carved in a black stone with Goddess Durga seated on a lion throne, along with 4 attendants.
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