The long-closed sanctum sanctorum of the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha has finally been located. Constructed in the 13th century, this historical temple’s sanctum was sealed in 1903 by the British administration due to structural concerns.
Puri: Access to the Konark Sun Temple’s sanctum has been discovered. ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) Superintendent D.B. Gadnayak stated that during 17-inch core drilling conducted on the western side of the temple to assess its structural condition, a 9-meter no-vibration drilling with a 16-inch pipe revealed the path to the sanctum.
9-Meter Drilling Leads to Discovery
ASI Superintendent D.B. Gadnayak explained that the path to the sanctum was found after 9 meters of no-vibration drilling on the temple’s western first storey. Drilling with a 16-inch pipe reached 8 meters before encountering a layer of sand beneath, confirming the temple’s remarkably b and secure structure.
Gadnayak stated that the sand within the sanctum will only be removed after scientific testing. This work is being undertaken with extreme care and traditional methods.
History of the Sanctum’s Closure
The Konark Sun Temple’s sanctum was built in the 13th century. In 1903, the British administration sealed it off with sand and stones due to concerns about structural stability. It has remained closed ever since. Now, an ASI team has initiated excavation using both traditional and scientific methods to study the temple’s structure.
An ASI expert team has begun removing sand from the first storey of the sanctum’s western section by creating a 4 feet x 4 feet tunnel. Simultaneously, 17-inch core drilling was carried out to assess the walls’ strength. Under the supervision of D.B. Gadnayak and Regional Director Dilip Khamari, a team of 10 experts meticulously examined the temple’s structural condition, ensuring that the walls and structure remained entirely safe.
Temple Structure and Safety
An 8-meter layer of stone was present to reach the sanctum, demonstrating the Konark Sun Temple’s exceptionally b and secure architecture. The ASI team is now preparing to remove the sand using scientific methods. Experts believe that examining the preserved materials and architectural elements within the sanctum could reveal new insights into the temple’s history and architecture. This excavation is of significant historical importance, as well as crucial for conservation and tourism.
