Restriction at Konark Sun Temple Lifted

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Jan 13, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Nearly four days after barring tourists from climbing on the Sun Temple at Konark, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) lifted the ban on Wednesday. The restriction was put in place following a spate of accidents involving tourists slipping from the rough and uneven steps of the temple, in the past few days.

"The restriction that was there for temporary period has been lifted. Tourists can now climb on the monument as they were being allowed in past," local ASI official, Sraban Kumar confirmed.

"We lifted the ban after taking adequate security measures for the convenience of tourists. Our people have been dotted around the temple to guard the tourists. The guards will keep a close watch on the tourists' movement. Visitors would also be warned not to take risk while climbing the monument," he said.

ASI, which is looking after the 13th century Black Pagoda, has installed six signboards at different places advising tourists not to put their lives in jeopardy. "Tourist can climb, but at their own risk. We would take maximum care to protect them," another ASI official said. "Total 24 boards would be installed at different places in the temple," he added. "Since the temple is very old and almost ruined, we cannot pierce the stones to make fences for the protection of tourists," the official told.

The temporary ban had evoked mixed reactions from tourists. While some had endorsed the movement of ASI, a few other expressed displeasure after being disallowed to explore the architectural grandeur from close range.

Standing on a sprawling 12 acre area at a stone's throw from the Bay of Bengal, the 70-ft ‘ruined' historical Sun Temple (which was once 228 ft. when it was intact) hogged the headlines for the wrong reasons over the past few months.

Spurt in accidents apart, the temple's poor drainage system was exposed during heavy downpours in the recent past. The temple precinct remained submerged in knee-deep water for a couple of days, causing severe hardship for tourists. Besides, there was much hue and cry over the poor maintenance at the world famous monument after a couple of stones were reportedly dislocated few months ago.