A survey by state archaeologists in the dense forests of Jharkhand's Latehar district has yielded the discovery of an 8th-century temple complex attributed to the Nagvanshi Dynasty. The site’s centerpiece is a sanctum containing a rare 'Black-Quartz' Lingam, a material choice that deviates from the traditional sandstone or basalt found in contemporary North Indian temples. The temple's exterior architecture showcases a transitional style between the late Gupta and early Kalinga forms, featuring heavy lintels and primitive Shikhara styling.
The discovery is particularly significant as it extends the known geographical reach of the early Nagvanshi rulers into the upland forest zones of the Chota Nagpur plateau. Excavations around the main shrine have also revealed terracotta pottery shards and iron implements, suggesting a permanent monastic or military settlement was attached to the temple. Plans are underway to document the site using LiDAR before the onset of the monsoon season.