A first: Survey of Hindu, Buddhist sites in J&K

Srinagar, November 26

In a first-of-its-kind exercise in Kashmir, the National Monuments Authority (NMA) has conducted a detailed survey of important Hindu and Buddhist monument sites of the valley, an official spokesman said here on Friday.

The survey was carried out by chairman NMA Tarun Vijay along with the officials of Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Jammu and Kashmir.

The wheelchair-bound chairman undertook an extensive tour of temples and monuments like Rainawari, Martand Temple, Awantipora, Harvan Buddhist site, Parihaspura, Pattan, the Naranag group of temples as well as Shri Pratap Singh Museum, the spokesperson said.

Vijay said the first-of-its-kind exercise in the valley is a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to revive and restore the cultural glory of Jammu and Kashmir while promoting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. He also observed that immediate steps need to be taken to conserve and preserve these monuments.

While highlighting the presence of several heritage sites across Jammu and Kashmir, the chairman said the NMA is preparing a well-crafted plan to achieve UNESCO world heritage site status for several monuments here. — PTI