Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has urged Union minister of state for culture Mahesh Sharma to order an inquiry into the allegations that a large number of original stone carvings in the Konark Sun temple have been replaced with plain stones by the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) which is responsible for the preservation of this world heritage site.
Naveen made the request in a letter written to Sharma in the backdrop of reports in a section of the local media about alleged negligence in the conservation of the celebrated monument. Referring to a report appearing in a newspaper, Naveen said: “It has been mentioned in the said news item that the original stone carvings in Konark Sun temple have been removed and in their place plain stones have been fixed.”
Describing Konark as a “masterpiece of creative genius” that has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, Naveen said that the newspaper report specifically mentioned that 40 per cent of the artistic stone carvings of the existing Sun temple had been replaced by the ASI with plain stones. Stating that the 13th Century temple built by Langula Narasingha Deva represented the climax of Odia temple architecture and symbolised Odia pride, Naveen described the report as a matter of concern for the people of the state.
“The report is a matter of worry and concern for all of us. I have a feeling that the temple deserves more attention from the ASI than what it has got. The ASI needs to focus more on proper conservation of Konark Sun temple and its art and aesthetic value,” said Naveen, while urging
Sharma to inquire into the allegations of replacement of original stone carvings of the temple and to direct the ASI to take steps for the preservation of this magnificent monument.