Kendrapara, Aug. 7: The much-awaited conservation work of the medieval era Baldevjew temple here would start by the end of the monsoon season.

Last month, a panel of technical experts and archaeologists had inspected and scrutinised the enfeebled structures of the temple, which dates back to the reign of the Marathas.

Conservation of the temple would be taken up in accordance with recommendations and suggestions of the experts’ committee. The temple would be refurbished shortly under the Centre-funded ancient heritage conservation grants, said an official.

“A four-member experts’ team, led by archaeologist Gopal Chandra Mitra, had made an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged structures. Experts have suggested in favour of refurbishment,” said curator of state archaeology department Aswini Kumar Satapathy.

The state culture department has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh central grants towards the conservation work.

Though many structures in the temple need repair and maintenance, there is no immediate cave-in threat to the structure. The dadhi naiti (the summit structure) of the main temple where the cracks had developed would be taken up under limestone plastering work. The department is also planning to deplaster the temple’s exteriors, so that it can withstand nature-induced corrosion. “The snana mandap, mukha dwara, Mausima temple and the Vasudev temple merit attention for conservation,” said Satapathy.

Since past two years, the 300-year-old temple had developed cracks and corrosion at strategic spots. But, the state archaeology department had been dragging its feet in taking up the conservation work.

The temple was built in 1707 during the Marahatta subedar rule. It is a four-way structure and devoid of architectural design. The Marahatta style of temple building was simple without intricate carvings.

The summit structure had developed a major crack a couple of years ago. A month later, some portions of bhog ghar (Lord’s kitchen) had caved in.