During a major structural restoration of a neglected 11th-century Paramara dynasty temple in Madhya Pradesh, conservationists have uncovered a sophisticated system of solar siphons. These internal granite conduits were designed to channel focused sunlight onto specific planetary deities (Navagrahas) at precise intervals throughout the solar year, representing a feat of astronomical engineering previously unrecorded in this style of architecture.
The restoration team, supported by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), also discovered that the temple's foundation utilized a unique layer of crystalline sand and lead, which scholars believe served as a primitive yet effective seismic dampener. This discovery is part of a state-wide initiative to preserve high-medieval sacred sites that have been partially reclaimed by the surrounding forest over the last century.