Bhubaneswar: The Archeological Survey of India has initiated the work to remove sand packing from the sanctum sanctorum of Konark Sun Temple. The officials today conducted a Groundbreaking ceremony for the ambitious project of sand removal from the sanctum sanctorum. The ASI has set a target of three years to complete the removal of sand. Advanced technology will be used to remove the sand without impacting the structure of the temple. The tender has been awarded to BDR Construction Pvt Ltd.
In 1903, when a major excavation was attempted nearby, the then-Lieutenant governor of Bengal, J. A. Bourdillon, ordered the temple to be sealed and filled with sand to prevent the collapse of the Jagamohana. The temple was granted World Heritage Site status by the UNESCO in 1984.
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