Kargah Buddha, Rock relief and archaeological site in Gilgit Tehsil, Pakistan.
The Kargah Buddha is a stone carving roughly three meters tall carved directly into a cliff face near where the Kargah and Shukogah streams meet. This sculpture stands in northern Pakistan's mountains as a visible record of ancient Buddhist artistic work.
The carving dates to a period when Buddhism flourished in the region and artists immortalized their faith in stone. Archaeological excavations in the area uncovered remains of monasteries and stupas containing written texts.
The raised right hand shows the Abhaya gesture, which expresses protection and freedom from fear in Buddhist tradition. This hand position held deep religious meaning for Buddhist believers.
The site lies about ten kilometers south of Gilgit and is reachable by mountain roads that can sometimes be challenging. Visitors should bring warm clothing and be prepared for high elevation conditions.
Local residents know the carving by a local name connected to an old story about a witch who was enchanted by a saint. This legend shows how ancient artworks become woven into a community's oral traditions.
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