Rare 6th century stone sculpture of Shiva found at Harwan

By Nashir Geelani -

Kashmir monitor

SRINAGAR: For the first time in Kashmir, a rare stone sculpture of Shiva was found on Saturday on the outskirts of Srinagar at Harwan and will be displayed at SPS Museum Lal Mandi Srinagar by Directorate of Archives and Museums.
Giving details, the SHO Harwan Police Station, Zaffar Ahmad said that the Irrigation and Flood Control has been carrying out the dredging work on the water reservoir near Harwan Garden.
“The workers informed us about the stone sculpture then we took it out from the reservoir. We cleaned it and handed over to the Archeology and Museum Department,” the SHO said.
He said that oval shaped stone sculpture is about 2 quintal with almost 2.5 feet in height. The scripture has face, nose and eyes.
Director Archaeology and Museum Department Mohammad Shafi Zahid said the sculpture discovered at Harwan has been first time found in Kashmir.
“It is one faced sculpture of Shiva of around 6th century old. One faced sculpture of Shiva has been found first time in Kashmir. We don't have one faced sculpture of Shiva at the museum,” he told The Kashmir Monitor.
He said that the one sided Shiva is with complete ornamentation. “The Harwan is known for sculpture and has archaeological importance,” he said, adding the sculpture will be placed at SPS Museum Lal Mandi Srinagar.

POSTED BY : VIPUL  KOUL