Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Konark, Feb 22:

Though it sounds queer to laymen like us, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in collaboration with Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee is all set to conduct an endoscopy of the world famous Konark temple located in Odisha’s Puri district.

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“We still do not know whether those stones have caved in now or ten or 20 years back. We do not have any such records with us. By getting an endoscopy done we will try to ascertain the real condition of the inside walls. Whether they are actually in very bad shape or are ok?” informed Dr H L Mittal, a scientist from CBRI Roorkee who has arrived here for the purpose.

“To ascertain the stability of the temple which we call the ‘core’ they will drill a bore to know at what depth the foundation of the temple lies,” said Dr A K Patel Director (Monuments) of the ASI.

Notably, a 3-D laser scanning of the 13th century monument done earlier had revealed that stones have dislodged from inside and found fallen on the ground. Besides, the iron beam erected to support the structure from inside has also caved in.

It may be mentioned here that Jagamohan of the Konark temple was filled with sand during the renovation of the temple in 1903 under instructions of then Lt Governor of Bengal JA Bourdillon. The four entrances to the structure were sealed off and its inside filled with sand so as to prevent the structure from collapsing.