A joint team from the ASI and state archaeology departments has identified a remarkably preserved 10th-century temple dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine, hidden within the dense shola forests of the Nilgiri Hills. The granite structure is notable for its intricate friezes depicting ancient herbal processing and medical practitioners performing various treatments.
Unique 'herb-storage' chambers were discovered within the thick stone walls, designed to maintain a consistent cool temperature using a primitive but effective ventilation system. Inscriptions in early Tamil script suggest that the temple functioned as both a spiritual center and a primitive hospital, serving local tribal populations and travelers along ancient trade routes connecting the plateau to the Malabar coast.