When I inquired in the village, Mr Ramesh, a youngster, told me about rumours of an old temple that had long since vanished. With his help, I ventured into the jungle. We came upon an amazing sight while navigating through overgrown paths; a huge temple tank with the remains of a shrine at its center, encircled by a pillared corridor, appeared. It was as if history was waiting patiently for someone to rediscover it.

Recognising the architectural style of the Vijayanagara period (16th Century CE), I knew this was not an ordinary structure. The temple deserved protection and reverence. With Ramesh’s assistance, we approached the village sarpanch and shared the historical importance of this hidden treasure.

What followed was a remarkable display of community spirit. The Sarpanch rallied 25 villagers and together, we began clearing the tank’s dense vegetation. With every bush removed, the grandeur of the temple slowly revealed itself as a forgotten masterpiece of the Vijayanagara era.