Kashmir’s history comes alive with an archaeological find
Ancient Sculpture of Goddess Lakshmi Found
Ehsan Fazili (Tribune News Service)
Srinagar: A magnificent stone sculpture of Goddess Gaja Lakshmi has been discovered from an ancient spring at Nagabal Lesser village in the Kokernag area of south Kashmir.
An official spokesman said here today that the sculpture “is brilliantly carved in limestone (slightly brownish in colour) measuring nine inches in height and five inches in width. The deity is seated on a lotus throne, placed in between two lions. The main sculpture is enclosed in a stone frame and the top of which projects in the shape of elephant motifs, towards the head of the deity.”
He said, “However, the right top of the right side of the sculpture is missing. The deity is holding a lotus stuck in her right hand, cornucopia in her left hand and shown with a smiling face and wearing a very impressive dress. The deity is also shown wearing a necklace with a typical crown mostly seen in Kashmiri sculptures. The drapery covering the lower body of the sculpture does not pass through its shoulders, but passes beneath the chest of the deity within a series of folds and falls.”
“The carving and costumes of the sculpture is a pure reflection of Gandhara Art, and speaks high of the skilled craftsmanship of the ancient art of Kashmir,” the spokesman added.
He said, “The preliminary study of the sculpture dates the artifact between the sixth and seventh centuries AD and places it very near to the sculptures previously found at Bijbehara, Anantnag, Kashmir. This is the only kind of artifact found from the Lesser Kokernag area of south Kashmir so far and the presence of pottery in and around the village reveals that there had been some ancient settlements that requires further examination.”
“The State Archives Department appreciates the efforts of the police, particularly Kokernag police station, for the recovery of the artifact that shall be shortly on display in the SPS Museum, Srinagar, for the general public,” he said.
The department has appealed to the general public that whenever any treasure trove comes to their knowledge they should inform the department to ensure the safety and preservation of the cultural treasures of the state for the posterity.