A recent excavation in the coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra has brought to light a significant 2nd-century BCE maritime shrine from the Satavahana era. Dedicated to a local deity associated with the winds and sea navigation, the shrine was built using unique coral-stone foundations and features shell-inlaid friezes depicting ancient trade ships and exotic marine creatures.
The discovery confirms that small, specialized temples were established along the coast to serve Indian and Roman merchants before they embarked on long trans-oceanic voyages. Findings at the site include several lead coins bearing the Satavahana ship motif and fragments of Mediterranean amphorae, providing tangible evidence of the deep religious and economic integration of ancient maritime trade routes in India.