The sanctum sanctorum of the ancient Konark temple will open after 118 years ! A Brief history konark sun temple hindi

A Brief Background

• Legend has it that the Konark temple was built by Samba, son of Krishna, who was cursed by leprosy. 

• When Samba was cured after 12 years of penance on the advice of Surya, he built the temple for the Sun God.12th Century 

• From 1238 to 1250 CE – The Konark Temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Kenduli copper plate inscription of 1384 CE + other texts of the period proves that the temple had been completed and regular worship used to take place.

Architecture

➜ Late-style Kalingan temple.

➜ Kona = corner.

➜ arka = the sun god.

➜ Konark = refers to Surya’s magnificent images on the three sides, across east to west, that catch the rays of the sun as it rises and sets. 

➜ The Konark forms part of the golden triangle of Odisha, along with Puri and Bhubaneswar, and attracts tourists, pilgrims, and history and art lovers.

12th Century

 The Sun Temple complex comprises: 

 1. the Natamandapa or the dance hall – has intricately   carved pillars of dancers and men and women in erotic   poses, 

 2. the 100-ft high Jagamohana (the assembly hall) and 

 3. the Rekha Deul (sanctum). 

 ➜ The Rekha Deul-Jagamohana complex forms the   chariot while the Natamandir stands apart. 

 ➜ There is no presiding deity in the sanctum

The famous chariot wheel of Konark features on the reverse side of the ₹10 note.

The structure declined in strength because of:

• Periodic Islamic invasions since the 16th century,  

• Structural flaws such as soil incompatibility and unsuitability of stones used, and 

• Weathering of rocks. 

1837* – The compromised structure collapsed.

➜ The Jagamohana is the only structure that is fully intact.

• Much of the freestanding statuary and panels are now lying with the Konark Museum and the National Museum in Delhi.

• With the temple located close to the shoreline, natural decay has been hard to prevent.

1903 – The British administration had filled the Jagamohan with sand and sealed it, to ensure the stability of the monument. 

➜ A hole was built on the top portion of  the Jagamohan and sand was poured into it.

➜ However, those huge amounts of sand have caused cracks on the structure from inside.

2013 to 2018 – The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) at Roorkee conducted a scientific study into the temple’s structural stability.

➜ The 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.

➜ The CBRI report stated that despite the gap, the structure was still stable.

                  

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CBRI had suggested 2 solutions:

• the 17-foot gap should be refilled with fresh sand. 

• Remove all the sand and properly restore the structure.

🌟 The Archaeological Survey of India is in charge of the conservation of the monument – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. 

ASI Conservation policy

• Conservation of such sites is governed by the Culture Ministry’s National Policy for Conservation of the Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Remains (2014). 

• Under the policy, “a monument or an archaeological site should be subjected to a minimum — whilst only necessary — interventions so as to maintain its authenticity and integrity”

• ASI has conserved iconic monuments like Rani ki Vav, Humayun’s Tomb, Ajanta caves, in the past, in similar ways.

➜ Rani ki vav was recovered through excavation. 

➜ While digging out the earth, the architectural strength was compromised.

➜ ASI helped to restore the pillars.

Much of the Ajanta caves have been recovered by digging out soil.

February 2020 – Union Culture minister Prahlad Singh Patel said the sand will be removed from the structure.

➜ Based on this, ASI formed a four-member committee to study the monument and submit a safe method of removal.

➜ As per the preliminary proposal, a window will be carved out on the western side of Jagamohan in the first phase. 

➜ The 6×6 foot window will be created close to an existing opening made in the British era to gain access to the interior of the monument.

➜ The new access will help authorities chart out a future course of action through inspection and documentation of the walls and the interiors.

• ASI will be assisted by IIT Madras in the process.

• After these steps are officially completed, tenders will be floated for the excavation process.