Konark Sun Temple: ASI In Stone Replacement Row

Konark Sun Temple: ASI In Stone Replacement Row

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI), which freed the 13th century Sun temple from the iron scaffoldings recently, has found itself in the midst of a controversy after it posted pictures of the historical monument on social media.

Soon after the ASI put out pictures of the temple sans the scaffoldings on Twitter, people were quick to point out the plain slabs used in place of original stone sculptures. A twitter user posted two images of the outer walls of the temple, one with intricate carvings and the other showing plain stones. The tweet soon went viral with many users questioning why ASI had installed plain stones. 

However, the ASI clarified that the tweet regarding the replacement of sculptures with plain stones is false and misleading. In a tweet, the ASI stated that the two images are from different locations. The image with sculptures is from Natya Mandap while the picture with plain stones is from the plinth of Jagamohan (the main temple). No sculptures have been replaced with plain stones, it stated.

Plain Slabs used in Sun Temple

Many plain stone slabs have been used in the temple, thereby raising concern among experts and people that all the beautiful carvings and sculptures, for which the monument is known worldwide, would be replaced by plain slabs. 

Experts believe that the number of plain slabs has increased in the Sun temple and this is ruining the beauty of the heritage site. Recently, various posts on social media raised questions on the methods used by ASI for conservation and restoration of the temple, popularly called as the Black Pagoda.

Refuting the allegations of replacement of sculptures with plain stone slabs, Superintending in-charge of ASI, Bhubaneswar circle Arun Malik said, “We assure you that no sculptures have been replaced with plain slabs recently. Most of the replacement work was done long back. ASI has carried out the conservation work carefully and installed plain slabs at those places of the temple where the sculptures were missing. If we have had any idea about the exact carvings at these spots, we could have done retrofitting.”

"One look at the old pictures of the steps and Adhisthana of Jagamohan would reveal what ASI has done. The portion was in ruin and most of the stones were missing. So, we gave it a proper shape by using plain stones which people can easily distinguish. There is a huge difference between before and after conservation work," he said and added that the north-east side platform of the Jagamohan and the wheels were restored way back in 1985.

Restoration and Conservation Principles of ASI

The archaeological principle of ASI for conservation and restoration of a heritage monument clearly mentions that no replication should be done at any cost to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the monument.

"The temple was in ruin and stones from many portions were not found. We have replaced the portions of the temple which can be replicated within the permissible limit,” said Malik.

He further said the authenticity of the monument needs to be maintained. "If we add any sculptures, it would be like tampering with the authenticity and integrity of the monument. Even if a renowned sculptor tries to replicate the artwork of the temple, there would be a difference. The essence would be missing," he said and claimed that the ASI has not changed a single sculpture panel from the Sun temple in the last 100 years.

The apex body to conserve monuments doesn’t compromise with the authenticity of any heritage structure. “We have never disturbed the authenticity of any monument with new carvings, Malik said.

Erosion and Ageing

The Sun temple has been made up of stones like Chlorite, Laterite, and Khondalite rocks which have high porosity. Khandolite contains a huge amount of iron which tends to react with water and oxygen. 

With the stones of the monument decaying fast, the beautiful sculptures and intricate carvings are falling prey to the natural phenomenon. “If we compare the pictures of the sculptures taken 5-10 years back, we would clearly see the difference. The sculptures are losing layers and eroding fast,” said Malik.

Stating that the ageing of the monument can't be stopped, he said, "It is really impossible to stop the chemical weathering. We can only delay the decay but can’t stop it."

Informing about the steps taken by ASI to delay the decay, Malik said, "The paper pulp treatment of sculptures is being done regularly to remove salt to delay the process of ageing. Besides, we are carrying out the water repellent treatment regularly."