Drawing flak from various quarters for poor upkeep of temples and monuments of historic importance, the State Archaeology has identified 32 monuments to be conserved in and around the Temple City in the first phase of work under the 13th Finance Commission.
A sum of Rs 16.12 crore has been provided for the purpose as per the recommendation of the Commission. These include some major temples in the Old Town area that are perennial victims of administrative apathy like Vaital, Megheswar, Kotitirtheswar, Aisaneswar, Bhimeswar, Subarneswar, Swarna Jaleswar, Sua Sari, Mohini, Baragada, Ekamareswar, Lakhaneswar and the ones at Dhauli (Bairangeswar temple) and Kalarang in Patia (Jaleswar temple).
Many of these old temples are lying unprotected for several years and some do not even have idols in them. All these temples are dated between 7th century AD and 15th century AD. Although every year funds to the tune of crores are sanctioned for conservation, negligence on the part of the officials concerned are putting their existence under serious threat. At present, of around 195 lesser-known monuments in Bhubaneswar, 22 are being preserved by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and 15 by the Archaeology wing of the concerned department.
Officials in the State Archaeology Department said these structures face problems of various kinds including water-logging, water seepage, structural damage, corrosion, encroachments in the periphery leading to blockage of drainage channels, growth of unwanted vegetation in and around the structures, putting a threat to their conservation. The 12th century Megheswar temple, for example, faces water-logging every year even during slightest rain as water from the pond in its compound enters the mukhalasala (entrance) and garba gruha (sanctum sanctorum). Its drain outlet has been blocked due to construction of buildings nearby. “If water-logging continues at this rate, the foundation stone of the temple will be damaged within 20 to 25 years,” said a member of the Temple Managing Committee Ashok Singh. Like Megheswar, ponds in other temples are heavily silted and in the absence of timely de-siltation and drainage channels, water inundates the premises.
Official sources said as a part of the work, steps will be taken to conserve the monuments and improve the basic infrastructure and create amenities to attract tourists. The important components of the work would include structural conservation, chemical conservation, landscaping and illumination of the monuments. Culture Director Sushil Das said community participation is also essential for preserving heritage. “Locals should prevent people from defacing monuments,” he said.