During the structural restoration of a neglected 11th-century Pala dynasty brick temple in Bihar’s Nawada district, conservationists discovered a series of sealed terracotta vaults. Remarkably, the mortar used to seal these chambers was infused with saffron and aromatic resins, which has preserved a collection of palm-leaf manuscripts and miniature bronze icons in near-pristine condition. The vaults are located beneath the ambulatory path of the main sanctum.
The primary structure is a rare example of the Saptaratha plan in brick architecture, typical of the late Pala period. This project, funded by a state heritage grant, aims to waterproof the upper tiers of the temple using traditional lime-surkhi techniques to prevent further seepage into the newly discovered subterranean chambers.