No takers for ancient monument of Orissa - ASI's apathetic attitude continues

Bhubaneswar(VISAKEO): Several rare ancient monuments reminding Orissa's glorious past has been facing the wrath of the officials of Union Culture Ministry as well as the State Culture Department and Archeological Survey of India, the nodal agency working for the conservation and renovation of ancient historical monuments. The apathetic attitude of ASI and Union Culture Ministry was evident from the fact that despite several request made by the State Government did not convince the babus of the Central Government. On June 5, 2005, the State Government had written a letter urging the ASI to enlisted Ganjam fort, Nrisinghnath temple of Paikmal, Biranchinarayan temple of Buguda, Nilamadhab temple of Kantilo, Chaushathi jogini temple of Ranipurjharial and leaning temple of Huma on ASI monuments list. Besides, State office of the ASI here in Bhubaneswar has also dispatched three letters requesting the same to their New Delhi counterparts but nothing has happened so far. However, due to lack of funds, State chapter of the ASI failed to engage all efforts in the restoration and renovation of historical monuments. According Culture Department official sources, a sum of Rs Rs 25,000 is being spent for the 218 monuments in a year, which, means the expenditure per monument is Rs.1, 200. Incapability to restore the six monuments in such a less budget, the State Archeological Department urged the help of the Archeological Survey of India.

The Ganjam Fort is one among the most significant historical monument of Orissa, which still glances the art and architecture of the Britishers. This fort was built in 17th century for the business prospective but now the south side of the fort is getting affected by the flow of Rishikulya River. In a severe flood there is now doubt that the historical fort will loose its existence. ASI had suggested the State Irrigation Department to make a dam surrounding the temple. The estimate was around Rs.5 lakh. But the project remained in the file. The same condition happened in case of Nrisinghnath temple. The temple is witnessing the complex architecture of the 10th century, is struggling for the existence. Like that, the only wooden temple of Orissa including Biranchinarayan temple of Buguda is in the destructive condition. Also the conditions of the Nilamadhab temple of Kantilo and Chaushathi jogini temple of Ranipurjharial are facing the same fate due to the lack of financial support from ASI and Union Culture Ministry. On the other hand, the budget does not permit the State Archeological Department to rescue the monuments.