The process for much-awaited sand removal from inside the Jagamohan of the world-famous Sun Temple in Konark began by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Wednesday.
The sand removal is being conducted to safeguard the temple structure. This is said to be the first-of-its-kind operation in the country to safeguard an architectural splendour.
The entire sand removal, also called salvage process which will be conducted with sophisticated technique, according to the ASI, will take three years to get completed.
In the first phase, a private firm, BDR Constructions, has started work on erecting an iron structure and a mechanical working platform on which lifts and trolleys will move to excavate sand.
Once the platform is set, in the second phase, a five-feet-high and four-feet-wide road will be constructed near the second 'Pidha' of the west gate through which the sand will be removed from the sanctum sanctorum.
The ASI had performed Bhumi Pujan rituals for the process in September 2022.
Researcher and historian Anil Dhir said, “This is a kind of operation that has never ever been undertaken anywhere in the world. If successful, it will be a textbook case. They will first remove some sand and observe its effect on the temple structure.”
“People have a notion that they will be allowed inside the temple after the sand is removed. But that is not the case. Like now, nobody will be allowed to enter the temple ever. Moreover, the inside walls of the temple do not have any architectural beauty. Whatever beauty it has, it is on the outside which is already in the open for the visitors to see. But I think this is a welcome step by the ASI. And if everything goes right, the life of the Jagamohana will increase manifold,” Dhir added.
The Jagamohan hall of the Sun Temple was filled with sand by the British in 1903. It was then so done to provide stability to the structure.
In 2010, to ensure the safety of the sanctum sanctorum, several national and international archaeologists and engineers during an international workshop held in Konark had suggested removing the sand.
Similarly, in 2015, the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee analysed the internal situation of the sanctum sanctorum through GPRS, laser scanning and endoscopy and provided the assessment report to the ASI.