Archaeologists in Balangir, Odisha, have discovered a pristine 10th-century temple foundation attributed to the Somavamsi dynasty. The excavation revealed a unique Green-Chlorite stone idol that represents a rare syncretic form of Vishnu and Surya (Sun God). This find suggests a period of religious fluidity and integration during the medieval period in Western Odisha. The idol is remarkably well-preserved, showing sharp details of the deities' crowns and jewelry.
The temple's architecture follows the Kalinga style but incorporates unique local variations, including a high plinth decorated with friezes of musicians and dancers. Scholars believe this site was part of a larger temple cluster that was lost to the shifting courses of nearby river tributaries. Further geophysical surveys are planned to locate other submerged structures in the vicinity.