A remarkable 10th-century temple from the Early Yadava period has been discovered in a remote village in Maharashtra's Latur district. The temple, dedicated to Shiva, is notable for its 'Ashtadikpala' (Eight Guardians) ceiling, which uniquely incorporates Zodiacal symbols (Rashis) into its concentric carvings. This architectural feature suggests a strong integration of astronomical knowledge with religious iconography, a hallmark of the Yadava dynasty's intellectual achievements in the Deccan.
The temple's 'Bhumija' style spire, although weathered, shows a high level of craftsmanship with hundreds of miniature shikhara motifs. Local volunteers and historians from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University are assisting in documenting the site, which also includes a large subterranean water storage system. The discovery is expected to lead to a major conservation initiative to protect the delicate ceiling panels from environmental damage, as they represent some of the earliest known stone representations of the zodiac in Western India.