Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district recently facilitated the safe transfer of a stone sculpture found in the Jhelum river to the Archaeology Department for preservation. The sculpture, identified as Goddess Durga, was recovered by a fisherman named Nazir Ahmad Latoo and was securely handed over to the Archaeology Wing in Srinagar following official directives. Baramulla Police emphasized the importance of protecting cultural heritage and encouraged the public to report any discoveries of historical significance promptly.
During the early and mid-1990s, amid heightened terrorism in Kashmir, militants damaged numerous properties and temples belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community. This led to the removal of idols of gods and deities from their original sites, with some being discarded in rivers or abandoned elsewhere. Kashmir boasts ancient Hindu temple sites like the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, the Martand Sun Temple, and the Avantiswami and Avantisvara temples at Awantipora, showcasing the region’s rich cultural and religious history.
The area also features revered sites such as the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tullamulla and the Sharika Mata shrine at Hari Parbat, highlighting Kashmir’s diverse Shaivite and Vaishnavite heritage. Baramulla Police’s proactive efforts in safeguarding historical artifacts underscore the significance of preserving the region’s cultural legacy.
