Archaeologists have identified a rare 8th-century brick temple in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh’s Mungeli district. Attributed to the Panduvamshi dynasty of Mekala, the temple is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya and is one of the few surviving examples of its kind in the region. Unlike the stone temples of the era, this structure is composed of finely burnt bricks decorated with terracotta friezes depicting peacocks and floral patterns, which are emblematic of Kartikeya's iconography.
The excavation has also unearthed a unique stone pedestal featuring a Brahmi inscription that identifies the local chieftain who commissioned the shrine. The remote location of the temple has helped protect it from centuries of urban expansion, leaving the original structural layout largely intact. Efforts are now underway by the Chhattisgarh Archaeology Department to clear the surrounding vegetation and implement structural reinforcement to prevent the brick walls from collapsing.