LG visits Chinar Dharohar, praises army for rejuvenating 8th-century heritage site

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited ‘Chinar Dharohar’, an 8th-century heritage site that was rejuvenated by the 15 Corps of the Indian Army.

Located at BadamiBagh Cantonment, the heritage site hosts several excavated figurines in the form of two large monolithic rock Shivalingas, seven Gandhara-style sculptures, and a huge rock carving of the feet of a monolithic statue. 

From April to July 2021, the Chinar Corps diligently restored excavated sculptures and created a heritage park with technical assistance from SPS Museum, Srinagar. It recreated scaled replicas of seven more stone figurines excavated from the site in 1926.

“Lt Governor appreciated the exemplary conservation work done by the Chinar Corps through the evident research, restoration, and rejuvenation of ancient Pandrethan monolithic 6th Century rock statues at ‘Dharohar’, in all their ancient splendor,” said Colonel Emron Musavi, defence spokesman at Srinagar.

Lt Governor said he was happy that National Monuments Authority has recognized this effort by awarding a Citation for heritage conservation.

“Such priceless legacy is an integral part of our living civilizational heritage, our cultural and historical traditions. Chinar Corps deserves praise for the first initiative of this kind,” he said.