Tirtheswar temple surrounded by private buildings, growth of vegetation on its dome and sculptures lying in a shambles. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 29: The 14th century Tirtheswar temple in the Old Town area attracts devotees everyday, however, the preservation of the structure is a matter of concern.

Situated near the Bindusagar tank on the Talabazar Road, archaeologists believe the Tirtheswar temple was built during the last phase of reign of the Ganga rulers. Sandstone has been used for the temple structure, while the foundation has been made of laterite.

Devoid of many sculptural embellishments, the striking feature about the site is its lofty built. However, a number of buildings surround three sides of the temple. On two sides, private buildings and shops have come up while an old Dharamshala stands on another side. Plastered and painted in red, the temple is buried at the base. It was renovated few years ago and the local residents look after it.

However, the original appearance is missing because of the red wash.“We paint the temple during special occasions like Shivaratri as a part of its maintenance,” said a priest of the Tirtheswar temple.

“Though we try our best to keep it clean, some aspects are beyond our expertise and need involvement of professionals. Especially, the problem of percolation of rainwater in the sanctum persists since it is at a much lower level, buried under the ground,” he added. According to archaeologists, even though local residents paint temples to improve the look of the structure, it harms the heritage value of the ancient monument.

“It is a positive thing that local residents look after old temples considering the devotional aspect. But even renovating the original appearance, mainly by whitewashing and painting, affects its preservation,” said B.K. Rath, archaeologist.

Apart from the coming up of private structures and the changed appearance of the temple, the large growth of grasses and vegetation around the temple and on the dome, threaten its conservation.

A layer of algae has also deposited on the floor and the walls of the sanctum.Officials of the state archaeology department however said that the temple would be cleaned soon.

“We have been cleaning many temples for the last two months. The vegetation on the Tirtheswar temple will also be cleared. It is a regular process and we will ensure that all old sites in the city are well maintained,” said an official.