A major restoration project at a 12th-century Hoysala-style subterranean temple in Davangere, Karnataka, has led to the discovery of hidden ritual reservoirs lined with thin layers of zinc. These tanks were designed to store sacred water, with the zinc lining serving as an early form of antimicrobial purification, highlighting the advanced metallurgical and hydraulic engineering of the era.
The temple, largely buried under sediment for centuries, features the classic stellate (star-shaped) plan typical of Hoysala architecture but is unique for its entirely underground layout. Conservators are currently working to stabilize the soapstone pillars, which are decorated with high-relief carvings of the Dashavatara and celestial musicians, while restoring the original drainage system that connected the tanks to nearby natural springs.