Cracks and dislocation of rock pieces developing in the founding rocks of the historic Shri Purnagiri Temple situated in Champawat district in Uttarahand have raised concern.
The cracks developing in the founding rocks of the Shri Purnagiri Temple are not new. Weakening of the founding rock came to light about eight years ago.
Though there is no immediate danger to the temple and its surroundings from these developing cracks as the officials concerned of the Champawat district administration maintained, given Uttarakhand's fragile geographical composition, finding an early solution to the development is a need of the hour, as experts here believe.
They further maintained since cracks or dislocation of the rock pieces are being found on the founding rock of the temple during the past few years, the treatment of the cracks is necessary to stabilise the temple area and for the safety of the pilgrims visiting the sacred place in huge numbers.Despite the fact that the development is not threatening enough for the present efforts are on to repair the founding rock of the Shri Purnagiri Temple, said B C Pant, Executive Engineer, Civil Circle, PWD, Champawat, while talking to The Pioneer.
Many agencies like IIT Rurkee, NHPC, National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), to name a few, have already visited the site to study the cracks, added Pant.Opinions have been sought from some reputed organisation for treatment of the cracking of the founding rocks of Shri Purnagiri Temple, informed the officials concerned of the civil circle, PWD, Champawat.
Notably, Shri Purnagiri Temple, located on top of a hill, at an altitude of 770.00 meter, along the Sharda river bank, is about 24 km away from the nearest railway station Tanakpuar (i.e. about 21 km by road and about 3 km on foot) and is one of the famous religious places in Uttarakhand in north India which lakhs of devotees visit every year.