Bhubaneswar: A six-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the Sun Temple at Konark on Wednesday to assess the progress of sand removal from the sanctum sanctorum (‘garbhagriha’) of the 13th-century monument. This inspection is part of an ongoing effort to preserve and maintain the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Puri district.
Additional Director General Janhwij Sharma of the ASI emphasized that the visit was part of a routine inspection process. “The Sun Temple at Konark is a globally recognized heritage site, and we regularly conduct inspections to ensure its preservation and stability,” Sharma explained to the media.
The Sun Temple, renowned for its architectural grandeur, has been undergoing significant conservation measures. In 1903, the 70-feet-high Jagmohan (Mukhasala) was filled with sand on the advice of Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, J.A. Bourdillon, to prevent structural damage. After India’s independence, the ASI established working platforms around the temple to evaluate Jagmohan’s stability and monitor the sand’s condition.
Dibashad Gadnaik, the Superintending Archaeologist for ASI’s Puri Circle, revealed that a small hole will be drilled into the temple’s wall to determine its structural strength. Following this, laser and endoscopy scanning will be conducted to further assess the temple’s condition.
The decision to remove sand from the temple comes after an endoscopy study conducted by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI). This study, which involved examining the structure through an existing hole at the top of the Amalaka, indicated that the sand filling had settled by approximately 12.5 feet, resulting in the dislodgement of some stones.