The September downpour has led to water seepage in the cave number 32 of the world renowned Ellora Caves for the first time. Some damage has been reported to the paintings.

The continuous rain has also caused seeping in Cave 33 and some other places at this World Heritage Site and the Archaeological Survey of India’s science wing has stepped in immediately to take measures for controlling this.

The Cave 32 considered as the finest and largest in the Jain Caves known as the “Indra Sabha” is a two-storey marvel of architecture.

Talking to TNN, the Superintendent Archaeologist of ASI’s Aurangabad Circle Milan Kumar Chauley, said in past no incidents of seeping has ever been reported from Cave 32.

Chauley observed: “Due to the heavy rains during the first half of September, there was profuse seepage in different caves at Ellora, causing damages to some of the paintings. At cave 32, our science branch has given support to the damaged and loose paintings by using a special mechanical jack and waterproof foam sheet to remove the rain water.”

The ASI headquarters located at New Delhi has been informed about this incident Chauley said. “The ASI top brass is expected to undertake a joint survey of the Ellora Caves shortly by involving different experts. The visit will study the current geological status of the world heritage site for the purpose of preservation and conservation,” he said.

The region where Ellora caves are located – Khuldabad tehsil in Aurangabad district – has received excess rain in September.

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