Man-Made Sculpture Viral As Huge Shaligram Stone Found After Nepal Flood

Following recent devastating flash floods in Nepal, social media platforms were flooded with images of what users claimed to be a massive, naturally occurring Shaligram stone—a sacred fossilized shell revered in Hinduism. However, a fact-check investigation by BOOM Live has confirmed that the object in the viral visuals is not a natural geological formation, but a man-made sculpture.

According to the investigation, the sculpture was created under the direct supervision of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. The institution had commissioned the work for artistic and cultural purposes, and the object was subsequently displaced or exposed during the recent severe weather events that have impacted the region. The Academy has clarified that the sculpture was intended for display and does not hold the geological significance attributed to it by online rumors.

The spread of these images highlights the challenges of misinformation during natural disasters, where emotional or religious significance can lead to the rapid circulation of unverified claims. While Nepal continues to grapple with the aftermath of the floods, which have caused significant infrastructure damage and loss of life, authorities have urged the public to rely on official channels for information regarding disaster recovery and findings.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying viral content, particularly when it involves items of cultural or religious importance. As rescue and recovery efforts continue across the affected areas, the focus remains on providing humanitarian aid and rebuilding essential infrastructure, rather than the viral speculation surrounding the origins of the sculpture.