ASI Draws Flak For ‘Replacing’ Carvings With Plain Stones At Sun Temple

Bhubaneswar: Resentment is brewing across Odisha against Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for allegedly replacing century-old stone carvings with plain stones at the world famous Sun Temple at Konark.

Tourism and Culture minister Ashok Panda had taken up the matter with Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma and requested him to intervene in the matter. He also urged him to direct the ASI director general to personally supervise the conservation work of the Sun Temple.

He also made it clear there was no space for compromise since the Sun Temple was an integral part of the state’s pristine art, culture and tradition.

On this issue, principal secretary, Tourism and Culture, Manoranjan Panigrahi had a meeting with the ASI officials on Saturday. The ASI officials had informed him that the conservation and preservation work of the Sun Temple was being done as per rules. Another round of meeting on this issue will be convened on Monday.

The think-tanks of the state are of the opinion that the ASI during the preservation of the tomb of the Mughal king Humayun has replaced the damaged stone carving with new stone with the same carving. However, in the preservation of the Sun Temple, the old and damaged stones are being replaced with plain stones.