Subhashish Mohanty
The Nabakalabar of Lord Jagananth and His siblings is scheduled to be held next July. The focus is now on the safety of the 12th century Jagannath temple. Has the ASI completed the required conservation of the shrine?
I would like to share one thing before answering the question. Conservation is a continuous process, and it is not a one-day affair. It is like if someone is diabetic, he has to take medicine regularly throughout his life. For the time being, a deadline has been drawn for us to take up a few conservation works. As a time frame has been given to us, we have to limit our work, keeping the priority into consideration. I can say at this moment that despite all odds, we are about to complete the required conservation within the next 10 or 15 days, well ahead of Nabakalabar.
What are the immediate repairs that you have undertaken in the temple?
The repairs and conservation works on the flooring of the temple have been over. Besides, work on the north gate, through which the sacred logs for making the new idols will be carried inside the temple, is almost complete. Repairs on the outer wall have also been completed. There were earlier instances of water seepage in the smaller shrines located on the temple premises. We have put in place waterproof measures at the 10 sub-shrines, including Lakshmi, Bimala, Surya temple and the Mukti mandap. The major repair we had undertaken was on the kalash (crown) of the main temple. The challenging job was over in May last year. No one has so far recognised the work as there were scaffoldings all around the temple. Two days ago, all the scaffolds were removed and one can now see the fine art work on the body of temple.
Nearly 50 lakh devotees are expected to witness Nabakalabar. Can we say that the temple is structurally safe at the moment?
(Pauses) I want the goddess of learning, Maa Saraswati, to be in my mouth right now to answer the question. I can say the temple is very safe now. The Jagananth temple is a living temple, and the main shrine is very strong at this moment. The scaffolding covering the shrine was in place to take up the chemical treatment. Now, the scaffolding is up to 30-feet high on the temple. Besides, we have also carried out the little repairs in the inner chamber.
There is always a tussle between the state administration and the ASI on the issue of safety of the temple...
(Smiles) That may have been the case in the past, but not now. There is a close co-ordination and collaboration between the ASI and the state government. The situation has improved. I always welcome open dialogues. If I don’t talk to you, you may write anything you like without understanding the subject. I explain our stand and they understand it.
There is a public perception that the ASI is opposing the endoscopic survey of the 13th century Sun temple at Konark. Why is it so?
The ASI has never opposed it. But the process has been delayed. In 1900s, people had filled sand inside the structure to arrest the problem of stones coming off. That was a good conservation measure the people had taken to save the structure at that time.
Now, there have been debates and seminars on the issue how to conserve the monument. Experts came out with a resolution to remove sand and go for repairs of the interior. Accordingly, the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, has made various scientific studies, including a laser study, on it. It was agreed to go for an endoscopic study. As it is a closed structure, the contentious issue is where to do the drilling for the endoscopic survey. Once a doctor starts an operation, there is no reversal. This is the main issue that is now being debated. Before taking any steps, we have to be a 100 per cent sure about the safety and security of the temple.
There is an allegation that the ASI is engaging unskilled workers on the conservation of the Sun Temple. What’s your take?
The workers, particularly the stone-cutters, who are working with us, have been associated with us for a very long time. We cannot replicate or reproduce a thing. We cannot replace an individualistic depiction. We conserve as we found. If we begin to do that, after 10 years we will land up with a new temple.
What measures have been taken to conserve the world heritage site for the future generations?
A three-dimensional (3D) film has been prepared to document it from all sides. One must understand that nothing can be preserved for eternity. Decay is an eternal process. How long we can delay the process of decay through conservation is the issue at this moment. Our aim is to slow the process of decay. If a structure’s lifespan is 100 years, we can, through our methods, save it for another 500 years, but not for eternity.
How safe is the 11th century Lingaraj temple at this moment?
Other than the cracks on the kalasha located on the summit, the main shrine is well protected at this moment. We have identified one artisan, who can go to the top and do the welding work.
Though Sisupalgarh, an ancient fort believed to be built between 300 BC and AD 300, which is only 5km from the city, is under the threat from land-grabbers, it appears you have almost remained blind to this problem.
We have filed an FIR against the land-grabbers. But, co-ordinated efforts by all agencies are required to stop it. We are in touch with the state government on this issue. Public awareness is required. Even a section of people had filed a PIL, saying it was not an ancient monument. But, the state should take pride that Sisupalgarh was the oldest city in Odisha. It should be protected.
Churanga Garh, which is among the five major forts (the other cantonments in Odisha were at Barabati, Bidanasi, Choudwar and Amaravati near Chhatia of the Ganga dynasty dating back to the early 12th century), is under threat from land-grabbers…
Perhaps, we have been little lethargic to that. Roads, national highways, and kalyan mandaps have come up. In fact, there are two or three villages inside it. There is a symbiotic development. While a part of it is outside Chandka village, a major portion is still inside the fort. There is a requirement to go for a regulated and co-ordinated development. The only thing is to strike a balance between development and right conservation.
How many monuments are under the ASI protection at this moment?
At present, there are 79 monuments under our protection. All the four excavated Buddhist shrines at Languri, Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Ratnagiri are under our protection.
As an archaeologist, you must have enriched your knowledge on the Buddhist cult. Can you say where was Buddha born?
A group of scholars in the state have claimed Lord Budhha was born in Odisha and not in Nepal.
(Smiles) This is a highly controversial topic at this moment. Please don’t drag me into it.
Bhubaneswar is seeing new constructions being made around various monuments in the city.
Why do you remain silent?
A PIL has been filed on this matter. We have replied to the petition. It is related to the construction of buildings and structures near monuments. An amendment was made to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act in 1990s, and another amendment came in 2010. This clearly states that no construction was allowed within 100 metres of a protected site. But as the city is expanding, land has become precious. It is very difficult to deny permission to take up any construction. Because of human settlements, the ground water level is going down. Consultation with experts is continuing to find out how to revive the natural drainage channels or how to pump out the water accumulating in the temple through a proper channel.
How do you find the Odia culture?
Keeping cultural traditions alive itself is a big job and here the society has been able to do that despite the modernity. Culture and tradition are well preserved here. It is not a current effort but ingrained in the system itself, the society as a whole. The next thing I very much like about Odia culture is the fact it has assimilated different religious sects and cultures. One can see a cultural integration here.
Preserver at heart
The 47-year-old archaeologist belongs to Faizabad district in Uttar Pradesh
He did his graduation on language (Sanskrit and English) from Avadh University
Later, he did his masters in history (archaeology) from the same university
His father was also an archaeologist
What would you have been had you not been an archaeologist?
We were not aware of careers. During our childhood days, there was not much competition. It was very easy going. From the very beginning, I wanted to know about culture and religion as it gave me a sense of connectivity. Had I not been an archaeologist, I would have been a historian.
