Bhubaneswar, July 26: Centuries old architectural marvels of the city lie in utter neglect and face serious deterioration with neither local people nor authorities showing any concern towards them. The monuments, owing to which Bhubaneswar gets the title of ‘Temple City’, may soon vanish due to the threats of nature and man.

A set of three temples situated close to each other, near the Bindusagar tank, stare at a similar fate. They are surrounded by dense wild vegetation. Among these, local devotees have transformed the Bhawani Shankar temple, which dates back to around the 10th century, into a modern temple.

Unaware of the significance of its historical appearance and with no supervision either by the Centre or state archaeology authorities, the devotees they have brought about many changes on the walls of the temple by using marble tiles on them. However, the tall dome of the monument has been completely wrapped with wild grasses and vegetation and is showing clear signs of distress. The premises of the temple also tell the tale of its deterioration.

Similarly, the domes of gigantic temples — Suka and Sari — that lie just behind the Bhawani Shankar temple, are lost amid the dense growth of wild plants.

A visitor will not be able to enter the 700-year-old Suka temple that was repaired few years ago by the state archaeology.

Now, it has turned into a public toilet. The human mess at the heritage site is not only makes it inaccessible for visitors but also leading to its structural decline.

The scaffoldings for repair on the temple wall are still present but shrubbery has grown on the exterior.

However, no awareness drive or step has been taken by the authorities to save the monument.

The grand Sari temple that shares its boundary with the Suka temple can stun any visitor owing to its magnificent architectural motifs and sculptures. Sadly, though a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), vandalism and urban pressures as well as weathering threaten the structure. A portion of the abandoned temple has become a storehouse of earthen pots for local residents. Also, the fascinating carvings on the temple have fallen prey to sun and rain.

Archaeology experts suggest that there be a common boundary for all the three monuments for the proper preservation of the historical structures.

“It would have been best if all the three temples, that are so closely situated, are surrounded by a common boundary wall and a garden is developed in the space in-between. This would help in conservation of the three temples, all of which are important,” said B. K. Rath , former superintendent of Orissa State Archaeology.