Archaeologists from the State Archaeological Department have unearthed a significant 11th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh's Korea district. The structure, attributed to the Kalachuri of Tripuri dynasty, features a unique octagonal mandapa supported by eight pillars depicting the 'Ashta-Bhairava' in exquisite detail.
The excavation revealed that the temple was constructed using local red sandstone and includes a remarkably preserved garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). Researchers believe the site served as a major tantric center, as evidenced by the specific iconography and a collection of ritual iron implements found within a sealed stone box near the foundation.