ASI lines up laser scan, endoscopic photography to conserve Sun Temple

Worried over the safety of the Sun Temple at Konark, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning to start 3D laser scanning and endoscopic photography of the world famous tourist destination to plan future conservation measures, official sources said on Thursday. 

Sun Temple at Konark [Credit: Wikipedia]

"We have an ambitious plan for Konark," director general of ASI Gautam Sengupta told media persons after a meeting with chief minister Naveen Patnaik here. Though Sengupta chose not to divulge details, official sources said Central Building Research Institute at Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh, will conduct the 3D laser scanning of the temple, a Unesco-declared world heritage site since 1984. Besides, Sengupta told Naveen endoscopic photography shall also be done to ascertain the condition of the monument's interiors, sources added. 

The ASI, an official release said, has adopted measures to ensure the 13th century edifice does not suffer from water-logging, something that had earlier forced Naveen to write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, resulting in an expert team undertaking an on-the-spot study of the shrine in 2010. 

Sengupta also informed Naveen that IIT-Bhubaneswar has been given the responsibility to examine the feasibility of the strut (iron pipes) support put in place on the temple's southern side over a decade ago, when cracks on the cantilever were detected, official sources disclosed. ASI has been looking after the Sun Temple since 1939. 

The ASI move follows concerns being expressed in various quarters over the future of the Sun Temple, which has developed cracks at some places. Experts are yet to arrive at a consensus on whether to empty the temple's 130 feet high Jagamohan (front audience hall) of the sand, which was stuffed inside it to support the structure over a century ago. 

ASI is also supposed to depute a deputy superintendent for proper monitoring of conservation work at Konark and Jagannath temple in Puri, a release quoting Sengupta said. He assured that de-plastering of the Puri temple's Jagamohan and Singhadwar would be carried out carefully and on time. 

The chief minister asked Sengupta to give special attention to Jagannath as well as Sun Temple. He also suggested that massive plantation be taken up around Sisupalgarh, Dhauli and Chausathi Jogini Temple at Hirapur, near here, sources said. 

Author: Sandeep Mishra | Source: The Times of India [February 17, 2012]