The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar is one of the oldest temples and a prominent landmark of the city. It represents the Kalinga architecture and brings to a close the mediaeval phases of Bhubaneswar’s architectural legacy. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is going to examine the temple to determine its structural safety.
ASI To Inspect Lingaraj Temple In Bhubaneswar
The two levels of the main tower of the 11th-century Lingaraj temple will be inspected for the first time in terms of structural soundness. The renovation will be carried out during the current fiscal year, as approved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The main temple, built in the Deula style has three storeys, and the sanctum sanctorum is situated on the ground floor. ASI (Bhubaneswar) chairman Sushant Kar stated that this is the first time they will attempt to reach the first and second floors atop the Garbha Griha to see if those elements of the shrine are structurally stable or not. Conservation has only been done on the ground floor so far as interiors are concerned.
The expansive temple complex comprises 150 subsidiary shrines and is organised into four sections. They include the sanctum sanctorum, the prayer hall, the offering hall and the dance hall.
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All four portions are axially aligned. Architectural patterns and figures are lavishly sculpted onto the walls of both the Deula and the Jagamohan. Above the corridor that connects the Jagamohana and the main temple are steps leading to the first floor.
This Year, They Will Also Use Photogrammetry
Just below the Beki of the temple, four little entrances lead to the second floor. The two floors are empty, but they must be examined. Because there had been no stone displacement or other structural damage, in contrast to the other temples in the vicinity, the officials had not researched these two floors.
They will use a laser scanner to scan the two floors of the monument to check for defects and cracks to make sure the interiors are intact. If any conservation work is necessary, the resulting paperwork will subsequently be utilised to aid in planning it.
The ASI also intends to scan Lingaraj Temple’s exteriors using photogrammetry this year. The science of measuring with multiple-angle photos is called photogrammetry.
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In order to identify fractures or other issues, drones will be employed to take tens of thousands of high-resolution pictures of the temple’s external walls from various perspectives.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons