The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), during the restoration of a Kalyani Chalukya era Shiva temple in Telangana’s Sangareddy district, has discovered a sophisticated acoustic engineering system. The inner walls of the mandapa are lined with porous basalt slabs arranged in a honeycomb pattern, designed to dampen echoes during Vedic chanting.
This discovery challenges previous assumptions about medieval temple acoustics, showing that architects intentionally used material properties to control sound. The project has also revealed intact Sanskrit inscriptions on the ceiling beams that describe the specific 'Ragas' or musical scales intended to be performed within the hall to maximize the building's resonance.