During a major structural restoration of a 13th-century Later-Seuna dynasty temple in Maharashtra’s Dhule district, workers discovered a concealed ritual vault. Tucked behind a false wall in the inner sanctum, the chamber contained a cache of Panchaloha idols, which are traditionally made from an alloy of five sacred metals: gold, silver, copper, zinc, and iron.
The idols, depicting various forms of the deity Vishnu, are in remarkable condition and feature stylistic elements that bridge the gap between Yadava and early Deccan art. The local archaeological department has now taken over the site to document these rare findings and ensure their long-term preservation within a museum environment. The discovery provides new data on the metal-casting expertise of the Seuna era.