Kathmandu, May 19

A stone laden with historic inscription dating back to 29 Sambat has been discovered at Laxmi Narayan Temple of Jayabageshwori.

The stone inscription is supposed to be oldest record discovered in the nation.

The experts are yet to make announcement but have been carrying out their probe on the stone inscription.

King Jaya Barma’s stone inscription of 107 Sambat and the Chagunarayan Mandev’s stone inscription of 521 Sambat and 386 Sambat, Maligaun stone inscription dating back to 381 Sambat are regarded the oldest records of the history of the nation. The Jay Barma’s records on stones were discovered at Maligaun of Hadigaun during the excavation.

These stone inscribed records were found while placing new idol of Laxmi Narayan at the temple at Jayabageshwori. The temple was without an idol after the old idol of Laxmi Narayan was stolen from the temple. Civil servant and social worker Mukunda Baidya had donated the idol.

The record was in Newari language and it clearly mentioned 29 Sambat in the record, he informed. Experts should carry out investigation to find the truth of the record, said Jayaram Shrestha, under secretary of the Culture Ministry.