Archaeologists excavating a mound in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have unearthed the extensive foundations of an 8th-century temple complex. The site is attributed to the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty and is notable for the discovery of several broken friezes featuring rare lapis lazuli inlays—a luxury material usually imported from ancient Afghanistan. This finding suggests that the temple was a site of significant royal patronage and was connected to extensive medieval trade networks.
The layout follows the classic panchayatana style, with four subsidiary shrines surrounding a central sanctum. While the main tower has collapsed, the surviving base structures show intricate carvings of floral patterns and guardian deities that remain in pristine condition. Experts note that the use of semiprecious stones in structural masonry from this period is exceptionally rare and points to a previously undocumented regional school of architecture.