Archaeologists working in the dense Jalna forest of Maharashtra have unearthered a remarkably well-preserved stone temple dating back to the 12th-century Seuna (Yadava) dynasty. The structure is unique for its dedicated orientation to the winter solstice, featuring a rare surya-chakra (solar wheel) embedded in the primary sanctum floor that aligns with the rising sun only once a year.
The excavation team, led by the State Archaeological Department, discovered the site after local shepherds reported seeing stone finials protruding from the earth following heavy seasonal rains. The temple’s exterior is adorned with intricate friezes depicting the seven horses of the Sun God, Surya, and several minor deities from the Seuna pantheon, providing new insights into the regional variations of the Bhumija architectural style.