Four buried miniature shrines and a rare sculptural base with twin connected Shivlingas have been discovered during conservation work at the ASI-protected Yamai Devi temple complex in Mahalung, Solapur district.
The findings came to light during debris clearance and structural stabilisation of the damaged Hemadpanthi-style stepwell, which had suffered partial collapse over decades. ASI officials said the stepwell appears to have been a ritual space as well as a water structure, with remains of symmetrically placed miniature shrines found along its edges.
Among the most notable discoveries is a sculptural base featuring twin connected Shivlingas, described as an unusual form in Deccan stepwell architecture. Archival photographs from 1912 also helped confirm the original stepped, mirror-image design of the well.
The restoration work is the first major conservation effort at the site since 1960. Officials said the stepwell had long been neglected, with fallen masonry, sculptural fragments, and displaced stone members scattered inside the shaft. The team is now documenting and cataloguing every recovered stone before reintegration.
The temple complex, believed to date mainly to the Yadava period of the 13th century, also contains earlier architectural influences. Conservation teams are using traditional lime mortar with organic additives to preserve the original character of the monument.
This discovery highlights the deep ritual and historical significance of the site, which remains an active pilgrimage centre and draws large numbers of devotees during its annual yatra.
ASI discovers buried shrines and a twin Shivlinga base at the Yamai Devi temple stepwell in Solapur, revealing rare ritual heritage hidden beneath decades of collapse.
Sacred heritage often waits quietly beneath the earth, until careful hands bring its story back to light.
