MYAGDI, Dec 21: The Shaligram stone, which is considered rare in the world, will be provided to the Janaki temple in Janakpurdham. A team along with the representatives of government agencies has been deployed to the Kaligandaki River for the search and excavation of Shaligram, which is found in abundance in the areas around Mustang and Myagdi.

A team with technicians from the Department of Information Technology (Ministry of Communication and Information Technology) is searching for shaligrams in the higher areas after it was impossible to extract the rock at the confluence of the Myagdi and Kaligandaki rivers. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki announced that the proposal to search for the Shaligram stone and take it to Janakpurdham was approved by the Cabinet meeting held on Sunday.

Shaligrams are disappearing due to human and natural reasons including the expansion of the road network, the illegal mining of the crusher industry located in the river, and the abundance of rocks found in the Kaligandaki River for three decades. Surat KC, mayor of Beni Municipality, said that the team that came in search of Shaligram stones reached the potential area. "One has been identified, the search for the other has been halted at this time," said Mayor KC.

According to Mayor KC, the team was also made aware of the damage that could be caused by the river during excavation. After receiving a letter from Gandaki Province, Beni Municipality is being helped by a team with people’s representatives. It is said that it will be taken from Devan to Galeshwar in Beni. Shaligram is worshiped by Hindus as an incarnation of lord Vishnu.

According to the team of representatives, Shaligram found only in the Kaligandaki River is a precious stone for Hindus but it is difficult to find the stone due to river exploitation. Illegal mining is rampant in Mustang, Myagdi and Parbat sections, where Shaligram stones are found.

 
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• Kaligandaki_River
 
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