Laser scanning of Puri temple likely to check structural damage

BHUBANESWAR: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has proposed to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct 3D laser scanning of the 12th-century shrine.
Besides, a five-year action plan is being devised jointly by the ASI and state works department for proper conservation of the Jagannath temple and the subsidiary shrines located on the premises of the main temple complex.
The temple administration said the proposed laser imaging along with a photogrammetric survey will help get a clear picture of the structural damage, if any, of the temple.The technology will also help the ASI to properly document the structural and architectural design of the temple for future use and reference.
“The ASI has agreed to conduct the laser imaging. We will take a final decision after taking the Chhatisa Nijog (confederation of different associations of servitors) and the temple managing committee into the confidence,” a senior temple officer said.
ASI’s superintending archaeologist (Bhubaneswar circle) Arun Malik said the laser scanning is safe and will cause no harm to the ancient structures of the temple. “We have already conducted the 3D laser scanning at the Sun Temple in Konark. The data is being used for conservation of the monument. There is no harm to adopt the same technology for Jagannath temple,” Malik said.
On Thursday, SJTA’s chief administrator Krishan Kumar held a virtual meeting with senior officers of the ASI and other experts, including archaeologists and conservationists for proper upkeep of the Jagannath temple.
“The annual repair and restoration work will be taken up inside Garbha Gruha (sanctum sanctorum) and other parts of the temple between Rath Yatra and Niladri Bije. Strict adherence to Covid protocol will be ensured during the inspection. A micro work plan will be jointly developed by the ASI and works department in this regard,” Kumar said.
Kumar said a five-year action plan for comprehensive conservation work of the main temple as well as the 136 subsidiary shrines of the temple complex will be executed.
Sources said the ASI may first start the documentation of the structural design of the sanctum sanctorum, where the sibling deities are worshipped. Last year, some servitors had alleged that a few stones from a lotus-shaped structure on the Ratna Simhasan, the elevated pedestal where the deities have been placed, went missing. Temple sources said the sanctum sanctorum is nearly 30 feet (8.5 metre) long and 30 feet (8.5 metre) wide.