Archaeologists exploring the dense forests of the Western Ghats have identified the remains of a 10th-century temple belonging to the Shilahara dynasty. The site is notable for a unique amethyst-cored lingam found within the inner sanctum, a material rarely used in medieval Indian sacred architecture for primary ritual icons.
Excavations revealed that the temple features a unique multi-tiered basement known as a pitha, which suggests it was a significant pilgrimage site for the local ruling elite. Researchers believe the use of amethyst may indicate previously unknown trade links with the Mediterranean or Central Asia during this period, as the stone is not native to the immediate region.