Archaeologists exploring the dense forests of Odisha's Nayagarh district have uncovered a remarkably preserved 12th-century temple belonging to the early Gajapati era. The structure is unique for its inclusion of polished quartz lenses embedded in the shikhara (tower), which researchers believe were used to focus sunlight onto the deity at specific times of the day.
The excavation team also identified several copper-plate grants within the foundation, detailing the temple's role as both a religious center and a local observatory. The viman (sanctum) remains largely intact, featuring rare carvings of maritime trade and celestial navigation, suggesting the temple had significant connections to the region's ancient seafaring guilds.