Kathmandu: (RightNow) After devastating floods in Nepal, images of giant stones went viral on social media. These images were claimed to be millions of years old fossils washed down from the mountains.

This claim has been proven false. The stones in the images are not natural fossils but sculptures created by Nepali artists. These stones are known as Shaligram Sheela, located in Jomsom.

Local authorities and the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts have dismissed the claims as baseless. They stated that these sculptures were already present and have no connection to the recent floods.

This case exemplifies the spread of misinformation on social media, where unverified claims go viral. It affects the importance of tourism in Nepal and the hard work of artists.

It is noteworthy that these sculptures are the result of efforts by the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts and local authorities, created to promote tourism. The sculptures were made during a workshop in 2026.