Gurung Museum LamjungA Gurung Museum on the trekking trail of Lamjung has been gaining popularity among hikers. Inaugurated on 23 May 2022 it was constructed by the Bhujung Community Home Stay and Tourism Management Sub-Committee. This offers a unique insight into the life…>> Read More
Himalaya Airlines resumes Kathmandu to Lhasa flights
Himalaya Airlines breaks new ground by resuming the Kathmandu to Lhasa from 17th April, 2024. It has also best direct…
Tripadvisor picks Kathmandu #1 for 2024!
The popular travel portal 'Tripadvisor' has declared Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, as the best natural destination 2024 in the world.…
China visa free facility to 6 countries
China announced unilateral visa-free policy to more countries on a trial basis by extending visa-free facility to travelers holding ordinary…
Lijiang to Shangri-La train journey opens
The Lijiang-Shangri-La railway officially opened on November 26, 2023 marking a new milestone for tourism in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. In…
New Buddha era relics excavated
New Buddha-era relics have been unearthed in Ramgram Nawalparasi West Nepal located 46kms east of Maya Devi temple making this…
Sichuan Airlines to increase Nepal flights
Sichuan Airlines a major inbound carrier from Chengdu China to Kathmandu announced that it will operate daily flights from August. …
Hollywood Superstar Jet Li visits Nepal!
World famous Hollywood and Chinese actor Jet Li arrived in Kathmandu along with his wife during the Christmas holiday. He…
Country : Nepal
Type : Making News
The ancient statue of a Kirati woman thought to be from 2nd century BC found in Dhulikhel by locals on 23 August 2020 has now been transferred to the National Museum in Chhauni in Kathmandu. The statue likely of a goddess, delicately crafted with jewelries on its outline, was found about 300 meters below the surface on the Araniko Highway, in Dhulikhel Municipality-3 of Kavre during a road construction. The right hand of the statue and below waistline are missing.
Dr. Ramesh Dhungel, an eminent archaeologist and historian said that "The features seen in the statue convince that its origin ranges from second century BC to the first century. That is approximately 2,200 years old." He said there are striking similarities between the statue and a first century idol named 'Ekanamsa' in Patna Museum, India. He adds "The features of the recently found statue in Dhulikhel coincides with the features of Ekamansa that dates back to the first century. So the statues could be from the same era."
Prominent art historian Lain Singh Bangdel's book "Early Sculptures of Nepal" mentions Ekanamsa as a female idol whose origin traces back to the first century BC and considered a pure representation of an ancient Hindu goddess.
This statue also has remarkable similar features. "This idol has fine details of a high-class jewelleries. It has a long earring and double layered necklaces. Although the lower body part is amputated, the skirt is draped perfectly, like in the Ekanamsa statue," said Dhungel. The statue could be of a Hindu deity or a representation of a 'mother goddess'. He also pointed out that although the statue is thought to be of a Kirati woman, there is not much evidence to support the speculation. "The idol certainly has Mongolian facial features but other details present a contrasting opinion," he added.
Visit Dhulikhel and the National Museum in Chauni to catch a glimpse of this priceless artefact!