A rare structural temple from the Gurjara-Pratihara period has been identified during a survey in the Mahendragarh district of Haryana. The shrine is specifically dedicated to Skanda-Kartikeya, featuring a unique stone lintel showing the deity mounted on a peacock. This is a rare find in the region, where most contemporary structures were destroyed or significantly altered in later centuries.
The excavation has unearthed the adhishthana (base) of the temple, which shows sophisticated molding typical of 9th-century Nagara architecture. Archaeologists are particularly excited about the mineral-based pigments found in the crevices of the carvings, suggesting that the temple was once brightly painted. The discovery reinforces the historical reach of the Pratihara Empire into the northern plains of India.