Archaeologists exploring the remote Satpura foothills in the Khandesh region of Maharashtra have identified a remarkably well-preserved Shiva temple belonging to the Nikumbha Dynasty. The temple is notable for its intricate basalt-carved ceiling, which depicts a rare 12-sign zodiacal arrangement surrounding a central sun-god figure.
Unlike typical temple ceilings of the era, this design includes precise astronomical notations that correspond to the position of the stars during the 9th century. The discovery sheds new light on the astronomical knowledge and artistic patronage of the Nikumbha rulers, who were significant feudatories in central India. The sanctum also houses a monolithic Shiva Lingam with four faces (Mukhalinga) representing the cardinal directions.