The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday refuted the allegation of replacing Konark Sun temples artistic stone carvings with plain stones.
In a meeting at the State Secretariat under the chairmanship of Culture Secretary Manoranjan Panigrahi, ASI Deputy Engineer (Archeology) Tapan Bhattacharya and ASI Regional head (Odisha Circle) Arun Mallick discussed the matter with the State Government officials.
ASI Superintending Archaeologist Arun Mallick said some plain stones were installed in the temple in the British era. “Not even a single stone carving of the Sun Temple has been replaced in the last 15 years. The plain stones have only been placed at blank portions of the temple, he said.
The officials further added that the plain stones were placed for the conservation of the monument as per the guidelines of the ASI and the UNESCO.
“The ASI is committed towards the preservation of the World Heritage Monument, the Sun Temple at Konark,” Mallick further said.