Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 19: Archaeologists have found a rare 9th century stone sculpture of Lord Shiva from a stream in Shopian district of Kashmir.
“The Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Kashmir, has found a rare stone sculpture of Lord Shiva at Wachi in Shopian,” an official spokesman said.
The sculpture was unearthed from the river bed of Rambiara stream at Malhora during sand extraction and was handed over to the Archaeology Department, he said.
Experts have described the find a big achievement in field of Kashmir sculpture history.
“The sculpture has been identified as that of Lord Shiva, wearing three peaked crown.
“The sculpture, which has broken arms and legs, depicts Lord Shiva with a third eye on its forehead,” the spokesman said.
The sculpture had been dated to the 9th century AD and had close resemblance with the Vishnu sculptures found earlier from Awantipora.