Archaeologists conducting a survey along the Malabar Coast have identified the remains of a 9th-century temple belonging to the Mushika dynasty. Located in a remote coastal stretch of North Kerala, the structure is notable for its unique coral-stone foundations, a material rarely seen in traditional Kerala temple architecture, which typically relies on laterite and granite.
The excavation has revealed several granite idols of Hindu deities and copper plates detailing maritime trade agreements between the temple and seafaring merchants from the Srivijaya Empire. Experts believe the temple served as a sacred landmark for sailors navigating the spice route, bridging the gap between local religious practices and international trade networks of the early medieval period.