Exploration teams in the dense Kalahandi forest region of Odisha have stumbled upon the ruins of a significant Hindu temple complex attributed to the little-known Chidaka-Naga dynasty. The temple is built in an architectural style previously unrecorded in the region, featuring a triple-shikhara (spire) layout that reflects a transition between central Indian and coastal Kalinga styles.
The main structure is surrounded by several smaller subsidiary shrines and a large rectangular stepwell. Initial analysis of the sandstone carvings reveals a focus on the goddess Mahishasuramardini and various forms of the god Shiva. Local heritage experts are calling for immediate protection of the site, as the intricate carvings of celestial dancers and floral motifs remain remarkably sharp despite centuries of forest overgrowth.