Five statues have been found at the construction site of a Dharmashala in the eastern part of Kanaksundari, the seat of power of ancient Khas kingdom in Jumla. 

The statues of Hindu deities Bishnu, Indra, Shiva and Jalpa Devi were discovered by a group of workers who were digging ground to lay the foundation for the Dharmashala, said Nawarjung Hamal, a local.

According to Hamal, the statues were found in the area where the palace of the Khas kingdom once stood. He suggested that the authorities concerned should excavate the area, for there could be many ancient artefacts underneath.

Chairman of Kanka Sundari Tourism Development Committee Nar Bahadur Rawal claimed that the statues were very unique, unlike any others that have been found in other temples or historical places across the country. 

He said the area should be preserved.

Meanwhile, Karnali Area Tourism Promotion Development Committee, which has initiated the construction of the Dharmashala in the area, has decided to stop the project. 

Bharat Budhthapa of the committee said they will request the government to start an archaeological dig in the area.