Archaeologists from the state culture department have uncovered a major temple complex dating back to the 12th-century Gajapati era in a remote sector of the Ganjam district. The site is notable for its exceptionally well-preserved Ashta-Dikpala pillars, which depict the eight guardians of the directions in intricate sandstone carvings. This discovery provides crucial evidence of the expansion of the Gajapati architectural style from coastal centers to the inland highlands.
Preliminary excavations have also revealed a Jagamohana (assembly hall) floor plan that suggests a transition from earlier Kalinga styles to more complex structural geometries. Experts believe the temple was likely dedicated to a regional form of Vishnu, as indicated by fragmentary motifs of the Sudarshana Chakra found near the sanctum area. The site is currently being documented for a full-scale preservation effort to stabilize the remaining masonry.