Anantnag, August 3, 2025: A remarkable archaeological discovery has been made in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, where local labourers unearthed ancient Hindu idols, including 11 Shivlings, during the renovation of Karkoot Nag spring in the Salia area of Aishmuqam, South Kashmir. The find, reported on August 2, 2025, has sparked widespread interest due to its historical and cultural significance, particularly for the Kashmiri Pandit community, who associate the site with the Karkoota dynasty that ruled Kashmir from 625 to 855 CE.The discovery occurred during excavation work led by the Public Works Department (PWD) as part of a broader spring restoration project. As workers cleared a section of the sacred pond, where water levels had receded in recent months, they uncovered a small compartment-like stone structure submerged underwater.
Inside this carefully preserved chamber, they found stone idols, including 11 Shivlings and a damaged sculpture depicting multiple deities, believed to be part of an ancient temple pillar. The submerged structure suggests deliberate preservation, possibly to protect the relics from destruction in the past.Officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology, and Museums promptly visited the site, located approximately 16 km from the district headquarters. The recovered artifacts have been taken into custody and will be transported to the Shri Pratap Singh (SPS) Museum in Srinagar for material analysis and carbon dating to determine their age and historical context.
“These memorable stones depicting various Hindu deities need study and research to confirm their exact age and origins,” said a department official, emphasizing the importance of preserving these relics for future generations.A local Kashmiri Pandit, speaking to PTI, highlighted the site’s historical and spiritual significance, stating, “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.” The site, long regarded as a pilgrimage center, is revered by the Kashmiri Pandit community, who believe a temple once stood there. “These were recovered from the sacred pond. We want them to be protected and appeal to the government to build a new temple here to restore the glory of the shrine,” the local added, urging authorities to reinstall the Shivlings in a newly constructed temple.The discovery has fueled calls for the site’s preservation and potential development as a heritage or religious tourism destination.
While the Department of Archives, Archaeology, and Museums has not yet confirmed plans for temple reconstruction, conservation efforts are expected to follow once the artifacts are studied. The find not only underscores Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage but also offers new insights into the region’s religious and dynastic history, particularly its connection to the Karkoota dynasty.
This significant discovery at Karkoot Nag adds to the growing list of archaeological finds in Jammu and Kashmir, reinforcing the region’s historical importance as a center of Hindu heritage. As research continues, the idols and Shivlings are expected to shed light on the ancient traditions and architectural prowess of the Karkoota era.
