Conservationists working at a Paramara-style temple in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district have discovered three circular stone basins at the temple entrance. Initial chemical analysis of the residue suggests these were once filled with oil or mercury to serve as liquid mirrors, reflecting the night sky for precise astronomical tracking by temple priests.
This find suggests that the temple served a dual purpose as a center for religious worship and a scientific observatory. The alignment of the basins matches specific constellations associated with the Vedic calendar, providing new evidence for the integration of astronomy and temple liturgy in the 10th century.