Ancient statue recovered in illegal excavation at ASI-protected Lakhamandal site

Dehradun: An ancient stone statue, approximately 5ft tall, has been recovered from an illegal excavation near Lakhamandal in Dehradun district – a site of significant mythological and archaeological importance in Uttarakhand. Officials said the incident occurred two days ago when individuals used an earthmover to dig within the protected zone of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).The Shiv Mandir Samiti, which oversees the historic Shiva temple at Lakhamandal, wrote to the sub-district magistrate demanding action, stating that growing encroachment in the protected zone posed a serious threat to the site’s religious and cultural heritage. The committee pointed out that artefacts had been found during previous illegal excavations at the same location as well. Acting on the complaint, SDM Premlal directed naib tehsildar Chakrata Rajendra Lal and regional revenue sub-inspector Suresh Chandra to inspect the site and submit a report.ASI officials have taken custody of the statue and issued notices to those involved. Senior assistant conservator Deepak Kumar submitted a report to superintending archaeologist Mohan Chandra Joshi, stating that the excavation was linked to construction work of a house protection wall initiated by Rajaram Bhatt, just 5m from the monument on the western side within the prohibited zone of Lakhamandal temple. During the digging, a broken stone idol was unearthed. Joshi said that the lower portion of the statue had been damaged due to the illegal activity, but his team successfully recovered it from the site.Shiv Mandir Samiti president Sushil Gaud condemned the use of heavy machinery in the protected zone, and said that “illegal excavation should be banned” to safeguard the sanctity of the temple and its surroundings.