The ongoing restoration of an 11th-century temple in Upper Assam, associated with the Chutiya Dynasty, has led to a remarkable discovery of a hidden cache of copper ritual shields. These shields, intricately engraved with solar and lunar symbols, were found sealed within a masonry void beneath the main sanctum. The restoration project, funded by local heritage trusts, aims to return the temple to its former glory while documenting its unique octagonal foundation.
The temple is one of the few surviving examples of pre-Ahom architecture in the region, characterized by its use of large sandstone blocks held together by iron dowels. Researchers state that the discovery of the copper shields provides new insights into the martial and religious synthesis of early medieval Assam, highlighting the defensive spiritual practices of the period's royal patrons.