NEWS

Added by British for stability, sand inside Konark Sun Temple may be cleared

DETAILS

• Sand from the temple’s sealed assembly hall, known as Jagamohan
• Idea was floated in February 2020 at the end of a two-day national conference on the conservation of the Sun Temple
• Need to remove the sand was felt after a study warned of possible damage caused by the sand settling down — resulting in a gap of 17 feet between the sand layer and the structure.
• ASI, the custodian of the world heritage site, will be assisted by IIT Madras in the process.
• Built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty from 1238-1250 CE, the 13th century late-style Kalingan temple forms part of the golden triangle of Odisha, along with Puri and Bhubaneswar, and attracts tourists, pilgrims, and history and art lovers.