Structural conservationists in Maharashtra have discovered a sophisticated 9th-century hydraulic system beneath a forgotten Rashtrakuta-era temple in Latur. During the desilting of the temple's Pushkarni (sacred tank), workers found a series of underground copper-lined conduits that connect the main shrine to nine smaller pools, each representing one of the Navagrahas (celestial bodies). The system was designed to allow ritual water to flow through each pool during specific astronomical alignments.
The restoration team is currently using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) to map the entire subterranean network, which remains largely intact despite centuries of neglect. The project has also uncovered several basalt friezes depicting celestial chariots and planetary deities, showcasing the advanced astronomical knowledge integrated into Rashtrakuta temple architecture. This is the first time a dedicated 'planetary water-circuit' has been documented in the region.