Rediscovery of Assam’s Daojali Hading Site unveils iron elements & 2,700-yr-old artefacts
A team of archaeologists, in collaboration with the District Museum, Haflong, has retraced its steps to Daojali Hading — an ancient Neolithic site in Assam's Dima Hasao district — and unearthed a fresh cache of artefacts. The rediscovery of the site, which was first excavated in the 1960s, has led to a breakthrough: the discovery of iron elements for the first time, potentially marking it as the earliest known site with evidence of iron use in the northeast. The reconnaissance survey, which took place during March and April, happened around 5-6km away from the commercial town of Langting along the NH 27 route. It unearthed artefacts that included a double shouldered Celt — a chiseled stone tool — chord marked potteries, pastels-mortars, a polished stone arrowhead, and more which dated around 2,700 years old. Click here to read…
Odisha Governor Visits My Son Temple in Vietnam for Cultural Exchange and Restoration Review- Pragativadi
Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati visited Vietnam’s My Son Temple complex as part of a mission to return sacred relics of Lord Buddha to India. His visit underscored India’s role in preserving shared heritage, particularly through the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) restoration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. My Son, a significant 4th-century Hindu temple complex built by the Champa Kingdom, reflects centuries of cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia. The ASI is aiding its preservation with advanced techniques. The visit not only reaffirmed deep-rooted spiritual and historical ties between India and Vietnam but also promoted cultural diplomacy, tourism, and bilateral relations grounded in a shared civilisational legacy. Click here to read…
Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Pran Pratishtha ceremony for deities in eight newly constructed Devalayas within temple complex concludes- Swarajya
The sacred Pran Pratishtha ceremony for the vigrahas (idols) of deities in eight newly constructed devalayas within the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya concluded on 5th June. The three-day event, which began on 3 June, culminated today on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami with the Pran Pratishtha at 11.25 am. The ceremony involved the religious consecration of vigrahas across the Ram Mandir Complex: a Shivling in the Northeast (Ishan Kon), Shri Ganesha in the Southeast (Agni Kon), Balshali Hanuman Ji in the Southern arm, Surya Dev in the Southwest (Nairitya Kon), Devi Bhagwati in the Northwest (Vayavya Kon), Maa Annapurna in the Northern arm, Sheshavatar in the Southwestern corner, and the Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor of the main Mandir. Click here to read…
Megalithic era pottery unearthed at village farm in Haveri- The Times of India
A research team led by MR Shadaksharayya, a former professor from Karnatak University's history and archaeological department in Dharwad, unearthed Megalithic artefacts in Balambeed village, Hirekerur taluk, Haveri district. The discoveries, found on Mallikarjun Jogihalli's land, include 3000 BC pottery fragments and ancient materials merely six inches beneath the surface. Some findings suggest links to the Palaeolithic era. The research group, comprising historians Iranna Pattar, Nagarajappa MS, and MM Akki, located this archaeological site and gathered historical evidence from the agricultural land. Their findings include fossils of black-and-red pottery, characteristic of the Palaeolithic and Megalithic periods. The pottery collection features carinated vessels, pedestal bowls, spouted dishes, and distinctive conical lids with top loops. Click here to read…
Team from ASEAN countries visit UP’s Buddhist sites- The Times of India
Uttar Pradesh tourism department and Union ministry of external affairs organised a six-day familiarization trip, ‘Bodhi Yatra' from June 2-7 under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) initiative. The trip featured a 50-member delegation from five ASEAN countries – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam – which explored key Buddhist heritage sites and other attractions across UP. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the special journey was to promote India's Buddhist circuit globally and strengthen cultural and tourism ties between India and Southeast Asian countries. Click here to read…
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bharat Gaurav tourist train embarks on maiden journey-The Print
The first Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bharat Gaurav tourist train embarked on its maiden journey from Mumbai, marking a significant initiative to celebrate the legacy of the Maratha king. Flagged off by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at CSMT, the tour is a joint effort by IRCTC, the Maharashtra government, and Indian Railways. Over five days, the train will cover key historical sites linked to Shivaji Maharaj’s life, including the forts of Raigad, Shivneri, Pratapgarh, and Panhala, as well as landmarks like Lal Mahal and Shivsrushti. Click here to read…
Lucknow nominated for UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy- The Times of India
As per the latest development, India’s Lucknow has officially been put forward as a nominee for UNESCO’s esteemed Creative City of Gastronomy designation—an accolade that recognises its deep-rooted culinary heritage under the Awadhi cuisine banner. A rich culinary heritage: Centuries of royal patronage have knitted the fabric of Lucknow's gastronomic history. Click here to read…
Another round of Centre-south clash as Union Minister says Keeladi report ‘needs scientific validation’- The Print
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the archaeological findings from Tamil Nadu’s Keeladi site require further scientific validation before being officially recognized. He said the report submitted by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna lacked adequate technical support and warned against politicizing the excavation. The Keeladi site, dating back to around the 6th century BCE, has yielded over 20,000 artifacts, including Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions and urban structures. Tamil Nadu ministers strongly criticized Shekhawat’s remarks, accusing the Centre of denying Tamil heritage. The ASI previously transferred Ramakrishna and later questioned his report's dating. Despite scientific backing and global interest, the findings remain embroiled in political and cultural controversy over historical narratives and recognition. Click here to read…
Haryana’s Agroha has caught ASI interest after 44 yrs- as part of a new heritage tourism circuit- The Print
Archaeologists uncovered a significant brick wall structure during recent excavations at Agroha mound in Haryana, a site believed to be linked to Maharaja Agrasen. The dig, led by the Archaeological Survey of India from March to May 2024, had initially yielded few findings until the discovery of the wall near the excavation’s end. Agroha, spread across 125 acres, has a rich habitation history from the 4th century BCE to the 14th century CE. The Haryana government and ASI plan to develop it into a heritage tourism hub. Excavations revealed terracotta artifacts, sculptures, and structural remains, with further digs expected in October to explore deeper layers. Click here to read…
Kerala University’s archaeological excavation unearths 5,300-year-old Early Harappan settlement in Gujarat- The Hindu
Archaeologists from the University of Kerala have discovered a 5,300-year-old Early Harappan settlement near Lakhapar village in Kachchh, Gujarat. Spanning nearly three hectares, the site offers crucial habitation context to the nearby necropolis of Juna Khatiya, where 197 burials were earlier recorded. Excavations revealed well-planned structures, rare Pre-Prabhas Ware pottery, and a unique burial accompanied by this ware—suggesting an undocumented ritual practice. Artefacts include semiprecious beads, copper tools, shell ornaments, and Rohri chert blades indicating links with Sindh. Animal remains and aquatic resources reflect a mixed subsistence strategy. Lakhapar is significant as it connects burial and habitation contexts in the Harappan landscape, offering rare insights into the daily life and death rituals of an ancient community. Click here to read…
World's most visited museum shuts down, sounding the alarm on overtourism- The Economic Times
On 16th June 2025, the Louvre Museum in Paris remained closed as staff launched a spontaneous strike, protesting unmanageable crowds, understaffing, and deteriorating working conditions. Thousands of confused visitors waited outside under I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid with little explanation. The strike, triggered during a routine meeting, highlighted longstanding issues including outdated infrastructure, temperature instability, and inadequate facilities. Workers argued that President Macron’s promised decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” renovation plan was insufficient and too delayed, despite including a new room for the Mona Lisa and a second entrance by 2031. While partial access to select artworks like the Mona Lisa was briefly considered, the full reopening was expected by Wednesday. Staff criticized declining state funding despite rising visitor numbers, claiming immediate support was essential to protect both the art and those who safeguard it. Click here to read…
A Haryana village is fighting ASI. A Mahabharata-era excavation is at stake- The Print
The residents of Theh Polar village in Haryana launched a legal and political campaign after receiving fresh eviction notices from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which seeks to reclaim the land for renewed excavations linked to Mahabharata-era history. Originally settled by refugees post-Partition, villagers have lived on the 48-acre site for decades, unaware that ASI had bought it in 1926. Despite limited finds in past digs, including one in 2013, ASI claims the site holds untapped historical value. Villagers formed a ‘Polar Bachao Samiti,’ raised funds, and plan to fight in court. They argue the state has supported their settlement since Independence and fear another displacement. The case highlights the clash between heritage conservation and community survival. Click here to read…
ASI is now calling researchers to crack a 100-year-old mystery—Indus Valley script- The Print
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, will host a three-day international conference titled Decipherment of Indus Script: Current Status and Way Forward from 20 to 22 August at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology, Greater Noida. The seminar will bring together scholars and independent researchers to present ongoing work on the Indus script, an undeciphered writing system from the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The conference will include offline and online presentations, with thematic sessions based on research progress. Despite over a century of study, the meaning of the script remains unknown. With over 400 identified symbols, the script is believed to be logo-syllabic. ASI aims to encourage scholarly dialogue and showcase ongoing efforts, including those of Indian researchers using linguistic and cryptographic methods. Click here to read…
In a first, court orders attachment of ASI office for non-payment of adequate land compensation- The Print
In a first-of-its-kind move in India, a Kutch court ordered the attachment of the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) Rajkot circle office over non-payment of compensation to villagers for land acquired at Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Though ASI claims it paid compensation after acquiring over 100 acres in 2004, villagers sought more and approached the court. On 11 June 2025, a five-member court team visited the office for seizure, but ASI was granted a 15-day extension to settle dues. Dholavira, a major Harappan site, was excavated extensively between 1990 and 2005 and recognized by UNESCO in 2021. Click here to read…
Rajasthan dig reveals 3,500-year-old settlement: ASI traces ancient riverbed; findings may link it to Rig Veda-era Saraswati river- The Times of India
The Archaeological Survey of India has dug up an ancient palaeochannel buried 23 metres under Bahaj village in Rajasthan’s Deeg district, leading a section of historians and archaeologists to link it to the mythical Saraswati river mentioned in the Rig Veda. The findings of the excavation, carried out between April 2024 and May this year, constitute evidence of settlements that thrived between 3500 and 1000 BC. Most of the discoveries date back to Kushan, Magadha and Sunga dynasties. Among the standout discoveries is the palaeochannel, the first such finding in Indian archaeological history. Click here to read…
Puri stampede: Three dead, over 50 injured during Jagannath Rath Yatra- The Hindu
Three devotees, including two women, were killed, and at least 50 were injured in a stampede near the chariots carrying deities during the ongoing Rath Yatra in Puri, in the wee hours of Sunday. The deceased have been identified as Basanti Sahu of Bolagarh, and Premakant Mohanty and Pravati Das of Balipatna. The incident took place near the Gundicha temple, as thousands of devotees tried to press closer to the chariots for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. In recent years, to avoid the massive daytime crowds, an increasing number of devotees have been arriving at night for darshan of the deities on the chariots. After darshan was temporarily paused for a ritual, devotees surged forward as it resumed, triggering the stampede. Apologising to devotees for the incident, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that ₹25 lakh would be paid to the kin of each of the deceased devotees as ex-gratia assistance. He also ordered a high-level administrative inquiry into the tragedy, to be headed by the State’s Development Commissioner, and took punitive action against local authorities. Click here to read…
Shashtra Museum & Research Center inaugurated- The Times of India
Maharashtra's deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on 27 June inaugurated the Shashtra (Scripture) Museum and Research Centre at the Dharmasangh auditorium, Shri Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj Ashram, Shri Dharmasangh Math Temple, Durgakund. The centre aims to preserve, digitise, and disseminate India's ancient textual heritage to society with the help of modern technology. Speaking on the occasion, Shinde said that he felt connected to the ancient knowledge tradition through this programme. He stated that the institution of Dharmasangh is not just a temple but a symbol of Indian culture and unity representing the Sanatan culture and lifestyle. Click here to read…
