Puri temple in fragile condition, needs constant attention: Experts

The famous 12th century Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri is in a fragile condition and needs "constant attention", an expert team has found.

The technical survey of the temple, which has developed several cracks on its beams and pillars, compromising the structure, was carried out by heritage conservationist Anandapran Gupta, chairman of the Shree Mandir Technical Core Committee (SMTCC). In his report, Gupta advises that constant care be taken to ensure that the temple is not weakened, and that urgent repairs be carried out.

"The temple is made of Khondalite stone blocks, and at locations, the stones are of non-uniform strength. So local distresses take place. During its construction, about 800 years ago, isolated stone blocks were, in certain parts, connected by wrought iron clamps. The expansion of these clamps over the years, now cause splitting of the stones and dislodging," said Gupta.

The report, which has been submitted to the ministry, also advises that "moss from the walls and roofs of the Garbhagruha temple" be removed, and that the burning of diyas inside the temple be discouraged. The 20-member committee has experts from IIT-Madras and IIT-Kharagpur.

An official from the ministry of culture said that while the state government wanted the beams and pillars to be strengthened by broadening them, the SMTCC report advises that the structure be strengthened on the top and bottom, instead. "Broadening the pillars narrows the space for the movement of pilgrims, which will create chaos. Repair work is also quite difficult to carry out, as it has to be carried out in the night when the pilgrims are not there, and the temple needs to open at the crack of dawn," said the official.

The sanctum sanctorum of Puri's 800-year-old legendary temple had already developed cracks in the 1990s, leaking sometimes, which had led to plastering of the structure. Sources in the ASI said that over seven layers of lime and plaster still cakes the cracks, and yet the situation is not improving.

Repair work on the structure started in January this year by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The ASI also formed a core technical committee to find out the details of the problem, and its member Gopal Chandra Mitra recommended that a steel frame be added to the structure. Mitra further said that Rs 2.5 crore be earmarked for the repairs. The ASI, however, did not heed to the recommendations, leading to Mitra tendering his resignation. Mitra, however, is back with the ASI, and is currently working on the structure.

Gupta says that "we cannot afford to lose focus", and that the solution to the problem is "through a passive and identifiable, supporting system that will be operational as and when needed". "For archeological structures there are some strict protocols for intervention. The original and the subsequent are to be distinctly recognised," said Gupta.