Indian Archaeology Center

SRINAGAR, J&K – The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently completed a significant underwater archaeological investigation at an ancient submerged 9th-Century Temple site within Manasbal Lake in the Ganderbal District of Jammu & Kashmir. This initiative marks the first underwater archaeological exploration in the high-altitude region of North India.

Dr. Natana Kasinathan, renowned archaeologist, epigraphist, historian, and former Director of the Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology, passed away at 85.

Among the recovered objects, 14 were idols of deities such as Sivan, Vinayaka, Natarajar, Vishnu Durgai, Dakshinamurthy, Devi, and Seetha Devi. These idols measured between 11 cm and 78 cm in height and weighed from 0.4 kg to 41 kg. The remaining seven items comprised pooja accessories, including a conch, pedestals, and ornamental arches.