The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is yet to get the much-needed `30 crore fund it sought from the Centre for the restoration and conservation of the famous Pashupatinath temple dating fifth century.
last year, the ASI had submitted a report to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) envisaging `30 crore worth restoration and conservation work at the historic temple. The ASI visited the temple on the request of the Nepal Government in 2012, which had approached the Union Culture Ministry for the restoration work at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The ASI had pointed out that the historical wooden gates and pillars of the temple have been damaged by moisture and termites because of which they are on the verge of collapse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the neighbouring country, first in August and then in November, had raised some hopes among the ASI officials who felt that fund will be released soon.
Additional Director General ASI BR Mani said that we have got the information the money has been released, but “we have not received it yet. Once it’s at our disposal, we will start restoration and conservation work.”
In August during his visit to the neighbouring country, Modi had announced a grant of `25 crore for 400-bed dharamshala near the Pashupatinath Temple. Mani said that the ASI has nothing to do with the construction. Once the ASI receives funds for the temple restoration, it would be not be the first time that the premier conservation agency would be showcasing its acumen in the neighbouring country.
Way back in the 70s, the ASI has conducted exploration and carried out important excavation in the Terai region of Nepal.
In the recent past, the ASI has successfully carried out various archaeological activities abroad including explorations and excavations of ancient sites and conservation and scientific preservation of monuments on the request of the respective countries. To name a few are the structural conservation of Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia and Wat Phou Temple in laos, structural conservation and chemical preservation at famous Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and The Ananda Temple in Myanmar.