The shrine of Lord Baldevjew and (below) the crumbling outer wall of Maausi Maa temple in Kendrapara. Telegraph pictures

Kendrapara, May 30: The state archaeology department is carrying out repair and renovation of the Mausi Maa temple of Lord Baldevjew.

“The conservation of the 300-year-old Baldevjew temple has come to an end. Now, the archaeology department is repairing the Mausi Maa temple (where the Lord stays for nine days during the car festival). The temple is as old as the Baldevjew temple. At present, de-plastering of the exterior of the temple is going on,” said Chitta Ranjan Rath, a senior technical consultant of the state archaeology department.

The protective compound wall of the Mausi Maa temple is in a bad shape and requires rebuilding. Besides, cracks have appeared on portions of the outer wall of the temple. The department is trying its best to complete the work before rath yatra.

“But, there is every likelihood that we may fall short of funds,” Rath said.

“The project to renovate the endangered portions of the temple is on in full swing. The earmarked grants may not cater to the full-fledged restoration. There is a need for more funds to give the temple a facelift,” said member of the temple trust board Akhsyaya Pani.

There was an allocation of Rs 30 lakh from 13th Finance Commission for the renovation of Baldevjew temple and Mausi Maa temple under the heritage conservation project.

Besides, the jhulan mandap (ritual pedestal) and rosha griha (temple kitchen) of the Baldevjew temple, too, require repair.

Due to fund crunch, renovation of these dilapidated structures could not be taken up. Hence, the temple management board has urged the government to sanction more money, Pani said.

The threatened status of both Baldevjew and Mausi Maa temples, which date back to the reign of Marahattas, had triggered public resentment.

Stone blocks from enfeebled parts of the Baldevjew temple had fallen off on couple of occasions in the past, raising safety concern of the temple.

Both the temples were built in 1707 during the Marahatta subedar’s rule. It’s a four-way structure and devoid of architectural design.

The Marahatta style of temple building was mostly simple without intricate stone cravings.