A major restoration project at a 10th-century Shilahara dynasty temple in the Ratnagiri district has led to a fascinating hydraulic discovery. While reinforcing the foundation of the primary shrine, engineers uncovered a complex network of subterranean tunnels designed to circulate seawater from a nearby estuary through the temple's base.
This 'natural air-conditioning' system was likely used to keep the inner sanctum cool during the humid coastal summers and to preserve perishable ritual offerings. The tunnels are lined with a specific type of volcanic basalt that resists salt erosion. Conservationists are now working to restore the flow of water to demonstrate this ancient engineering marvel, which represents a unique adaptation to the coastal environment of the Konkan.