In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the 2013 flood-hit Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand on May 3, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Union Culture Ministry, is giving final touches to the restoration work it has done so far. The ASI said 70 per cent of the conservation and restoration job is already over.
“Necessary stone packing to the damaged portions of the temple walls have been done while doors on both the side of the temple has been replaced,” a senior ASI official told The Pioneer on Wednesday, adding that cleaning and flooring inside Garbha Griha has also been done.
Cracks and gaps, filling up of missing stones after duly carving and matching original stone on facades of the temple, cleaning of the entire interior of the temple as well flooring has been done. Drainage system has been restored.
It was in June 2013 that flash floods had damaged the Kedarnath Temple, prompting the ASI to take up the structural conservation work as well as chemical preservation. Though the temple had survived the deluge, it was covered with debris and had suffered major damages. Its stones had got dislodged and its foundation had weakened.
Despite difficult working conditions aggravated by the harsh weather conditions and snowfall, the ASI team executed the work at the site in the hill state in. consultation with the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). The holy temple is not under the ASI protection ambit.
The PM is likely to be accompanied by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath besides senior officials from the Centre and State.