The Aisaneswar temple that is protected by the state archaeology department in Old Town Area has been encroached from all sides. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5: Built in grey sandstone, the 800-year-old Aisaneswar Shiva temple stands forgotten and forlorn like many other heritage sites in the Old Town area.

Although taken care of by the state archaeology department, the temple today faces serious threats from encroachers.

It seems the 13th Century architectural splendour does not evoke any sense of pride among encroachers.

The Aisaneswar temple has remarkable decorative motifs on its doors and throughout the structure.

It resembles the Megheswar temple in its style of construction. The temple follows architectural style of saptaratha plan and is a rekha deul.

Situated within the precincts of the municipal corporation hospital in Sriram Nagar, the temple that faces east is sadly veiled from the front by the blood bank.

Residential buildings and slums have also cropped up behind the temple, shrouding the resplendent view of the protected site.

“There is no board here that indicates this is a protected site. There should be some indication that this site is not supposed to be encroached upon,” said Nilakantha Acharya, a local resident. “Some priests, however, worship the idol everyday,” said a local resident.

As per the Orissa State Ancient Monument Preservation Act, 1956, any construction within a radius of 100 metres of a protected site is prohibited, while 300 metres around it is regulated area.

Violation of these rules can attract 10 years’ imprisonment and fine of Rs 50,000 or both said an official of the state archaeology department.

“In fact, a couple of years ago we had sent a list to the Bhubaneswar municipal corporation (BMC) and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to intimate them about the protected sites that have been encroached upon. In spite of being the enforcing authorities, they have not reverted so far,” said an official of the state archaeology department.

BMC commissioner Vishal K Dev, who joined office last week, said he was yet to receive information in this regard.

“I’m not aware of the issue. We will take necessary steps as soon as I get the details. We have a proper eviction plan for encroached areas. Accordingly, encroachments will be removed,” he said.

Although the state archaeology department has done the preservation and restoration work, the temple awaits action against encroachments.

RULES TO FOLLOW

The Orissa State Ancient Monument Preservation Act, 1956, states that any construction within a radius of 100 metres of the state archaeology protected site is prohibited while up to 300 metres around the site is regulated area. Violation of these rules has penal provisions of 10 years imprisonment or Rs 50,000 fine or both

The Aisaneswar temple is a 13th century monument protected by the state archaeology. Built with grey sandstone, the Shaivite monument is a Kalingan architectural marvel situated about 10 metres across the road from the Western compound wall of the Lingaraj temple

The state archaeology department protects the temple. However, a blood bank, the municipal hospital compound and slums and residential settlements on all its sides surround it