By NewsGram Staff Writer

Is Ghaggar river that flows in Haryana, the mythical river Saraswati? Several studies conducted along Ghaggar's palaeochannel may suggest so.

"Several studies including explorations and excavations have been carried out both by the Government and non-governmental organizations along the palaeochannel, represented today by the Ghaggar river in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Some researchers have ascribed this palaeochannel to the Saraswati river mentioned in ancient Indian literature, " Minister of State for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma informed Lok Sabha.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had already conducted about 10 excavations under Saraswati Project since 2003, Sharma said, and added that the excavation work at the ancient mounds of Binjore, District Ganganagar, Rajasthan during the field season 2014-1015 is in progress.

Around four sites in Haryana namely Adibadri, Thanesar, Bhiranam, Hansi have been excavated by ASI to identify the mythological river. Similarly, in Rajasthan four sites namely Baror, Tarkhanwala Dera, Chak 86. Karanpura have been dug out. Two more sites in Gujarat's Kachchha district have been surveyed by ASI to search the long lost river.