Fact Check: This is NOT a millions-of-years-old Shaligram found during Nepal floods
In the aftermath of the tragic flash floods that swept through Nepal, a massive stone appeared in a video that quickly went viral, billed as a 175‑million‑year‑old Shaligram fossil unearthed from the Kaligandaki River.
Closer inspection revealed a different story: the stone had been deliberately shaped during a fifteen‑day carving workshop in Jomsom. More than three dozen artisans from the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts gathered to transform raw river rock into a towering Shaligram and a series of religious icons, including figures of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Buddha, as well as representations of the Himalayan snow leopard and sheep.
The workshop was organized by the Gharpjhong Rural Municipality and co‑financed by regional development offices, reflecting a coordinated effort to celebrate local craftsmanship and promote cultural tourism. The culmination of the project was a ceremonial unveiling led by a senior Indian monk, underscoring the stone’s intended role as a pilgrimage draw.
The rapid spread of the video illustrates how contemporary digital platforms can blur the line between natural marvel and human artistry, turning a carefully crafted cultural showcase into a viral myth of ancient discovery.