The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to safeguard archaeological remains in the Chandrapur district, specifically focusing on the Bhonda Mahadev temple at Bhatala. Dating back to the 8th or 9th century during the Rashtrakuta period, the temple is constructed from unique yellow sandstone and houses one of the largest single-block Shiva lingas in the Vidarbha region, measuring nearly 10 feet in length.
The court's intervention follows reports of large-scale illegal mining in the vicinity, which poses a severe threat to the structural integrity of the ancient site. A division bench has directed the district collector to personally inspect the area and submit a detailed report on the damage. Conservation experts and local villagers have provided documentation highlighting that the massive black stone used for the sanctum's linga is geologically distinct from the surrounding terrain, adding to the site's archaeological mystery.