Konark Sun Temple

• The Archaeological Survey of India is working on a preliminary roadmap to safely remove sand from the interiors of Konark Sun Temple, which was filled up by the British 118 years ago to prevent it from collapsing.
• The idea was floated in February 2020 at the end of a two-day national conference on the conservation of the Sun Temple and ASI was asked to prepare a report on the modalities of removing the sand.

About Konark Sun Temple

• Location: Konark is situated at comfortable distance from the famous religious and tourist centre of Puri (35 K.M.) and the capital city of Bhubaneswar (65 K.M.)
• Meaning of Name: ""Konarka"" , the place bears a name composed of two World elements: Kona meaning corner and ARKA meaning the Sun.
• The Sun god worshipped in Ark Kshetra is also called Konark.
• In 'Brahma Purana' the Sun God in Ark-kshetra has been described as Konaditya.
• So it is evident that the place where the Kona aditya (or Kona-arka, the Sun god) was worshipped was also popularly called Konark.
• The main Temple was called by European sailers ""The Black Pagoda"" as it formed an important landmark for them in their coastal voyage.
• It forms part of the golden triangle of Odisha, along with Puri and Bhubaneswar, and attracts tourists, pilgrims, and history and art lovers.
• Built by: Built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty from 1238-1250 CE.
• Features: The Sun Temple built in the thirteenth century was conceived as a gigantic chariot of Sun God, with twelve pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven pairs of horses.
• Its fine traceries and scroll work , the beautiful and natural cut of animal and human figures, all give it a superiority over other temples.
• The Sun temple belongs to the Kalinga School of Indian Temples with characteristic curvilinear towers mounted by Cupolas.
• The main sanctum which (229 ft. high) was constructed along with the audience hall (128 ft. high) having elaborate external projections.
• The main sanctum which enshrined the presiding deity has fallen off.
• The Audience Hall survives in its entirety but of the other two viz the Dancing Hall(nata Mandir) and the Dining Hall (Bhoga-Mandap), only small portions have survived the vagaries of time.
• The alignment of the Sun Temple is in the east-west direction.
• The temple is a World Heritage Site is situated in the eastern state of Odisha and is a massive temple dedicated to the Sun God temple
• Great poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote of Konark: “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.”

Protection :

• The Sun Temple, Konârak is protected under the National Framework of India by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act (1958) and its Rules (1959).
• Other relevant protective legislation includes the Forest Act, Konârak Development Act and notified Council Area Act.

Why was the need to remove the sand felt?

• It 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.
• This report was submitted in 2019 and CBRI had suggested that the 17-foot gap should be refilled with fresh sand.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• It is an attached office under the Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
• It is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
• It regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.