In a swift act the Budgam district police of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, recovered an invaluable heritage and artefact from Khansahib area of the district. It was a 1,200-year-old Goddess Durga sculpture.

This beautiful piece of work is carved in black stone, with the Goddess seated on a throne along with four attendants. The two-armed Goddess Durga sculpture has two pillars on the back and a lotus and chakra in her hand. The size of this exquisite sculpture carved in black stone is 6 inches by 8 inches.

Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh, the Deputy Director of the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums sharing details about the sculpture said: "During examination by experts it was revealed that the sculpture of Goddess Durga dates back roughly to 7th-8th AD (about 1200 years old).”

Beigh added: “The two armed Goddess Durga sculpture has two pillars on the back and a lotus and chakra in her hand. The goddess, in the sculpture, is wearing a necklace and crown. The object material of the sculpture is a black stone, which is locally available in Kashmir.”

The art of stone carving is an ancient one still practised by the people. Beigh further said the recovered antique will form a part of museum collection. "The sculpture is very precious and will be placed at the SPS Museum after completion of legal formalities.”

Also read: Ancient artefacts belonging to 9th Century AD found under garbage pile

This ancient sculpture was recovered from the Jhelum river by a labourer when he was in the process of extracting sand from the river. As per ANI news agency, this incident took place in Pandrethan, Srinagar.

The labourer had retrieved the Maa Durga sculpture in August and was trying to sell it but was not able to. Meanwhile, the Budgam police, acting swiftly on specific information, recovered the sculpture and handed it over to the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Jammu and Kashmir Government.

Also read: Mahabharata era caves discovered in Telangana’s Kawal Tiger Reserve