Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a significant 11th-century temple belonging to the Later-Western-Ganga dynasty in a remote pocket of Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district. The structure, dedicated to the Goddess Durga, is uniquely characterized by a series of intact granite friezes that appear to function as a celestial navigation guide for ancient land and maritime travelers.
The carvings depict the Saptarishi (Great Bear) and Dhruva (Pole Star) constellations with unprecedented precision, alongside figures of mariners holding navigational instruments. Scholars suggest this temple may have served as a ritual and educational center for the region's merchant guilds, bridging the gap between sacred architecture and early astronomical science.