Srinagar (PTI): A rare granite deity of Goddess Laxmi, believed to be 1,400 years old, has been found at Waghama village along the river Jehlum in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

The sculpture, that was found by the farmers a few days ago, has been taken in possession by the state Archives and Archeology department and its antiquity and artistic details are being studied, its Deputy Director Peerzada Mohammad Ashraf said on Sunday.

He said the farmers stumbled upon the deity when they were digging a field in Waghama-Bijbehara, 45 kms from here.

They kept the deity with them but some villagers tipped the local police who recovered it and handed it over to the archaeology department.

The deity is seven inches high and 4.5 inches wide and is seen as one of the most important findings of the year, Mr. Ashraf said.