ASI performs ground-breaking ceremony to remove sand from Konarak's Sun temple

The decision to remove the sand from the Jagmohan was taken at a national conference organised by ASI at Konark in 2020.

Several experts from around the world participated in the conference then and suggested the removal of sand from the Jagmohanm of the Sun temple to further strengthen the structure.

The sand was filled inside the Jagmohan of the temple during the British raj in 1903 to protect and conserve the Sun temple.

ASI aims to remove the sand from inside the Jagmohan in three years in a scientific way by using the latest and sophisticated technology.

ASI sources said as per the advice of various expert committees, documentation has been done using the GPRS, Endoscopy and laser scanning during the last decade to study the stability and the inner condition of the Jagmohan of the Sun temple filled with sand.

BDR Construction Private Ltd has been entrusted with the job of the removal of sand.

The construction company will provide technical support only. The ASI officials will be deployed to remove sand, ASI Superintendent Arun Kumar Mallik said.

In the first phase, an automatic mechanical working platform is being erected for the smooth removal of the sand from the Jagmohan of the 13th-century world heritage monument.

Sources said a hole would be created on the temple's western side to remove sand.