Culture

ASI starts clearing sand to ease stress on walls of Konark Sun Temple

The Archaeological Survey of India has undertaken the major work of removing the sand filled in the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha as it causing unwanted stress to its walls.

The British between 1900 and 1903 had sealed the four entrances to this magnificent 13th Century temple with the aim to avert its collapse when they undertook its preservation. It was done based on the assumption that the sand will bear the complete load of the top. Now that same sand has led to several cracks in the structure from the inside. The Centre in February 2020 decided to remove the sand.

Talking to HT, an ASI official said: “But the sand has settled down and the whole purpose of it has been defeated. The sand was causing a lot of unwanted stress to the walls. Unless the sand is taken away, it will keep pushing the walls.”

Arun Mallick, the ASI Superintendent of the Bhubaneswar Circle told the media that detailed study had been conducted in the last two years and several experts had been consulted including faculty of Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee.

The sand will be removed through the four gates. While technical advice will be rendered by BDR Nirman P. Ltd, the sand will be removed by the ASI staff only.

The Konark Sun Temple was constructed by the King Langula Narasingha Dev of the Ganga dynasty 800 years ago. It took 16 years for 1,200 artisans and craftsmen to make this monument.

Interestingly, ASI has done similar restoration work of the 12th Century Angkor Wat Temple from 1986 and 1993. They also restored the Ta Prohm Temple in the same complex.

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

14 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

14 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

16 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

16 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

18 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

18 hours ago