The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun sand extraction at the assembly hall, Gagamohan, of the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, in a carefully planned effort to stabilize and preserve the 13th-century monument.
ASI officials said that the sand extraction process at Gagammohan, which has been closed for about 123 years, is likely to be completed within three months.
Controlled digging and automated systems to aid conservation efforts
The Authority began constructing a narrow passage between the first and second “Al Baydah” on the western wall to manually remove sand and preserve the internal structure. “The corridor will be 6 x 5 feet in size, through which sand will be removed manually,” said Debeshada Jarnayak, supervising archaeologist of ASI’s Puri circle.
Jarnayak added that the process was initiated after obtaining approval from ASI Director General Yadhubir Singh Rawat and technical clearance from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, who assessed that removing sand would not jeopardize the structure.
Engineers have built a working platform to transport sand using carts, while the passage is slowly being excavated to avoid pressure on the ancient monument. Earlier, two core drilling operations were carried out on the western wall under controlled, vibration-free conditions using diamond drilling techniques.
In parallel, a larger engineering operation is underway to reach the inner sanctuary. A tunnel approximately 9 feet wide and about 80 feet high is currently being cut on the western side of the temple. Officials said no one would enter the tunnel directly due to safety concerns. Instead, automated vehicles will be deployed to collect sand from inside the chamber.
The extracted materials will be transported via pipelines and stored in a designated location on the northwest side of the temple complex. Experts said laboratory analysis confirmed that the sand historically supported the structure, but could now pose risks due to weight and moisture buildup.
22 years of scientific planning and evaluation
The project comes after nearly 22 years of planning and technical studies, including laser measurements, endoscopic imaging and sample testing. About 30 teams of engineers, archaeologists and conservation specialists are involved in the project, using vibration-free equipment to prevent damage to the temple’s thick stone walls.
The Gagamohan River was filled with sand between 1901 and 1904 by British engineers to prevent its collapse following structural weakness caused by weathering and lightning. Over time, the sand compressed unevenly, creating voids and raising concerns about internal pressure on the stone and iron beams.
Initial estimates indicate that several meters of sand have accumulated inside the structure. Officials said the removal process is highly sensitive and could take months to complete, with real-time monitoring systems in place to track any structural changes.
The 800-year-old monument, built by the Ganga dynasty king Langula Narasingha Deva I to worship the sun god, has already lost its main sanctuary and Natya Mandap to the vagaries of nature, with only the jajamohan (porch) remaining. Historical records indicate that about 1,200 artisans and stone craftsmen built the temple over a period of 16 years using chlorite and sandstone.
The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction, attracts millions of visitors annually. Although some conservationists have raised concerns about the risks involved in removing sand from such an ancient structure, ASI officials said the work is being carried out under strict supervision using advanced engineering methods.
“This is not an ordinary excavation, but a scientific conservation operation aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of the monument,” Gadnaik said.
