Archaeologists from the State Department of Archaeology have unearthed a remarkably well-preserved 11th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in a remote part of Karnataka's Bagalkot district. The structure is built in the distinct Kalyani Chalukya style, characterized by its intricate soapstone carvings and lathe-turned pillars. What sets this find apart is the presence of intact 'Sudarshana' friezes along the outer walls, depicting the celestial discus in various stages of motion.
The excavation team discovered the temple base while investigating a series of mounds near the Malaprabha River. Preliminary analysis of the temple's layout reveals a unique trikuta (three-shrine) plan that was partially modified in the 12th century. Fragments of a massive stone idol of Vishnu in his 'Vasudeva' form were also recovered from the central sanctum, alongside several copper-plate grants detailing land donations from local merchant guilds.