In the spring of 2026 a monumental stone sculpture rose on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River near Jomsom in Nepal’s Mustang district. Carved by artists from the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts between April 20 and May 4, the 22‑foot‑tall work replicates a Shaligram—a sacred stone traditionally associated with the deity Vishnu. Weighing roughly 30 tonnes, the piece was unveiled with ritual ceremonies on May 28, 2026.

The new Shaligram quickly became a focal point for pilgrims and tourists, drawing visitors who see it as a contemporary embodiment of an ancient devotional practice. Its inauguration by the respected spiritual leader Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahaswami Vidushekara Bharati underscored its religious weight, while the sheer scale of the carving highlighted the skill of Nepal’s modern stone‑carvers.

When flash floods struck Nepal in August 2026, videos of the towering statue resurfaced on social media, accompanied by claims that a 170‑million‑year‑old stone had been uncovered. The posts suggested the flood had revealed the world’s largest Shaligram, sparking a wave of misinformation. In reality, the footage simply showed the recently completed sculpture, and the viral narratives ignored the documented timeline of its creation.

The episode illustrates how quickly modern art can be recast as myth in the digital age, especially when natural disasters dominate headlines. It also reminds viewers that contemporary religious art, like this Shaligram, can hold profound cultural resonance without needing to be ancient. As pilgrims continue to gather at the site, the sculpture stands as a testament to Nepal’s living heritage and the power of skilled craftsmanship.

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