The National Culture Fund has announced the completion of the first phase of restoration for a 14th-century temple in Assam's Sivasagar district. The project, which aimed to stabilize the brick masonry typical of the Ahom kingdom, led to the discovery of a hidden layer of terracotta panels behind a 19th-century facade. These panels depict scenes from the Kalika Purana, a significant local religious text, executed in a bold, folk-influenced style unique to the Brahmaputra Valley.
Unlike many other Ahom-era structures that were modified during the colonial period, this temple preserves a rare octagonal ground plan, reflecting the tantric influence on Ahom royal architecture. The restoration team used traditional sticky-rice mortar and lime to repair the structural cracks, ensuring that the ancient construction techniques are preserved alongside the artistic heritage of the site.