Hidden deep within forests, buried under layers of earth, or revealed only after natural calamities, some of India’s oldest temples have remained concealed for centuries, their stories silenced by time. But thanks to the meticulous work of archaeologists and historians, these sacred spaces are once again stepping into the light, offering rare glimpses into the spiritual, artistic, and architectural brilliance of ancient India.
Each of these rediscovered temples holds a key to understanding forgotten dynasties, evolving faiths, and regional architectural styles that predate or parallel the grand temples we know today. From the misty woods of Telangana to the storm-battered shores of Tamil Nadu, these structures are more than archaeological finds—they are living chronicles of India’s devotion, craftsmanship, and cultural depth.
1. Devunigutta Temple, Telangana (6th century CE)
Discovered in the dense forests near Kothur village in Telangana, this temple was first brought to academic attention in the 2010s. Archaeologists believe it was built during the reign of the Vakataka dynasty, a powerful Deccan empire contemporary with the Gupta Empire.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, evident from the surviving lingam and iconographic carvings. What's unique is its isolated forest location, far from any known Vakataka capital, which suggests it may have served as a sacred retreat for ascetics or minor royalty. The temple features sculpted panels with iconography of Ganesha, Ardhanarishvara, and Mahishasura Mardini, showcasing a rich Shaivite tradition and sophisticated craftsmanship.
Its sanctum (garbhagriha) is capped with a stepped shikhara, an early version of temple towers that became iconic in Indian temple architecture. Since it predates many well-known temples in the region, it’s considered one of Telangana’s most important archaeological finds in the past two decades.
2. Murugan Temple, Saluvankuppam, Tamil Nadu (3rd century BCE–8th century CE)
A remarkable archaeological discovery in Tamil Nadu has revealed the oldest known temple in the state, believed to be around 2,000 years old, dating back to the Sangam period. Unearthed during post-tsunami excavations in 2004 at Saluvankuppam near Mahabalipuram, this temple is one of India’s oldest known Murugan (Kartikeya) temples. Archaeologists from the ASI discovered two structural layers: the older layer is a brick temple dated to the Sangam age (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE), and above it lies a granite structure built by the Pallavas (circa 8th century CE).
The north-facing orientation of the temple is a key indicator that it was built before the Agama and Shilpa Shastra traditions, which began influencing temple architecture around the 6th or 7th century A.D.
According to these texts, temples were typically constructed facing east or west—not north. This unusual alignment suggests that the temple was built during the Sangam period, approximately 1700 to 2200 years ago, before the canonical rules of temple construction were established.
Archaeologist concluded that, excavations have also uncovered evidence of two ancient tsunami or tidal wave events.
Deposits of shells and temple debris found on the eastern side of the site, close to the shoreline, point to the impact of these massive waves.
These stratified layers of shells and sediments provide rare archaeological records of palaeo-tsunami events, offering valuable insights into the region's natural disaster history.
The temple belongs to the Sangam era. Two key pieces of evidence helped confirm the temple’s identity:
A granite spear (Vel), traditionally associated with Lord Muruga (Subramanya).
A plaque depicting women performing ‘Kuravai Koothu’, an ancient tribal dance linked to Muruga worship.
Together, these findings confirm that the temple was dedicated to Lord Muruga, the deity of the Kurinji (hill) landscapes in Sangam literature.
3. Mudimanikyam Temples, Telangana (8th–9th century CE)
Located in Nalgonda district, this 1,300-year-old site was discovered by local historians and later confirmed by archaeologists as having stylistic links to the Badami Chalukyas, a dynasty known for promoting early rock-cut and structural temples. The site revealed two distinct temples, each built in different architectural idioms: Kadamba Nagara style and Rekha Nagara style, both characteristic of Karnataka-AP temple building traditions of the 8th–9th century CE.
One of the temples was found to house a Shiva linga, while the other had a Vishnu idol, indicating religious inclusivity or possibly a shared temple precinct. Stone inscriptions referencing a hero named "Gandaloranru" give insight into local valorization and possible patronage. These temples exemplify a transitional period in Deccan architecture, combining intricate northern and southern styles before the flowering of Kakatiya architecture.
4. Lord Shiva Temple, Hottal, Maharashtra (11th century CE)
Hottal village in Nanded district is home to the ruins of an 11th-century Shiva temple, attributed to the Western Chalukyas (Kalyani Chalukyas). The temple base was uncovered during ASI’s conservation work, revealing a well-laid foundation with a Shiva lingam, remnants of a pillared mandapa, and intricately carved wall fragments.
Historical inscriptions and architectural parallels link this site to the Chalukyan capital of Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan). This find is crucial because it reaffirms Hottal’s status as a significant religious and cultural hub under Chalukyan administration. The temple also reflects the Chalukyas' evolving architecture—marked by lathe-turned pillars, stepped shikharas, and detailed friezes.
Though the superstructure is largely missing, what remains provides invaluable insights into 11th-century temple planning, stone joinery techniques, and the rise of Shaivism in Maharashtra during this era.
5. Parmar-era Temple Cluster, Madhya Pradesh (11th–12th century CE)
In the forested hills between Sehore and Dewas districts in Madhya Pradesh, archaeologists stumbled upon a cluster of 15 temples built during the reign of the Paramar dynasty, specifically under the rule of Raja Bhoja (1010–1055 CE). These temples, built using sandstone and granite, were dedicated to a variety of deities including Shiva, Vishnu, and the Sapta Matrikas (seven mother goddesses).
Three of these temples have been restored, showing intricate carvings of Maheshwari, Vaishnavi, Mahagauri, and other feminine divinities, which is rare in large numbers. This suggests a regional focus on Shakta worship (Goddess traditions) alongside mainstream Shaivism. The site also serves as a window into central Indian temple architecture, especially temple clusters built in forested or semi-rural religious centers rather than urban capitals.
These temples, many of which were hidden under dense vegetation and undisturbed for centuries, reflect the syncretic religious practices and artistic mastery of central India during the late first millennium.
These discoveries are not just remnants of stone and mortar. They are testimonies of ancient India's spiritual, artistic, and architectural journey, carved into history by dynasties whose reach and reverence for the divine spanned centuries. Each newly discovered temple expands our map of sacred geography, bringing ancient India's devotion, innovation, and community life back into present consciousness.
