ASI to remove sand from interior of Konark Sun Temple
- Category
Art and culture
- Published
3rd Jan, 2022
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Context
Archaeological Survey of India is working on a preliminary roadmap to safely remove sand from the interiors of Odisha’s Sun Temple’s sealed assembly hall (Jagamohan).
- ASI, the custodian of the world heritage site, will be assisted by IIT Madras in the process.
About
Facts about Konark Temple

- The name Konark is made of two Sanskrit words: Kona, meaning corner, and arka, meaning sun.
- 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.
- Konark was chosen as its place of construction because it has been described as the holy seat of Surya in various ancient texts.
- Its architecture has all the defining elements of the Kalinga architecture – it includes
- Shikhara (crown)
- Jagmohana (audience hall)
- Natmandir (dance hall)
- Vimana (tower)
Ka?inga architectural style
- The Ka?inga architectural style is a style of Hindu architecture which flourished in the ancient Kalinga previously known as Utkal and in present eastern Indian state of Odisha.
- The style consists of three distinct types of temples:
- Rekha Deula
- Pidha Deula
- Khakhara Deula
- The former two are associated with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva temples while the third is mainly with Chamunda and Durga temples.
- The Rekha Deula and Khakhara Deula houses are the sanctum sanctorum while the Pidha Deula constitutes outer dancing and offering halls.
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The need
- The sand was filled up by the British 118 years ago to prevent it from collapsing.
- The 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.
- This report was submitted in 2019 and suggested two solution:
- To refill the 17-foot gap with fresh sand.
- To remove all the sand and properly restoring the structure
Important festivals in the State
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Jagannath Temple in Puri

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Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage spots for Hindu devotees of India.
Lord Jagannath temple is located in Puri that is a coastal town of Odisha
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Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar

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Ram Mandir is a temple complex in the heart of Bhubaneswar city in Odisha.
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Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar

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Lingaraj Temple is one of the oldest temples in the state of Odisha.
It is a Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Harihara or an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
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Mukteshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar

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Mukteshwar temple is a Hindu temple that was built in the 10th century
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Maa Tarini Temple, Ghatagaon, Keonjhar

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Maa Tarini temple in Ghatagaon, Keonjhar, Odisha is one of the Shakti and Tantra Peethas or shrines in the state.
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