Scaling off of lime plaster to cause no harm to Jagannath temple: ASI

Puri, Aug 6: Scaling off of a chunk of lime plaster from the ceiling of the sanctum sanctorum of Puri Jagannath temple will cause no harm to the Shree Jagannath temple. ASI Superintendent, Arun Malik said it on Saturday to the SJTA managing committee, during a meeting convened at the Shree Nilachal Bhakta Niwas today. Taking stock of the matter,Malik said that the corrosion behind the Ratna Singhasan (bejewelled throne) has been minutely examined by the technical team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).Later,the issue was discussed with the SJTA. Acting on it, the team, accompanied by the temple’s engineer In-Charge inspected the spot from where the piece of lime plaster was peeled off. As per the team’s report a small piece of lime plaster has peeled off from a corner of the temple, behind the Ratna Singhasan. There is no damage to the Ratna Singhasan from the falling of the piece of plaster. Malik also said that the stone base from where the lime plaster had chipped off is intact. The corrosion was  from the sacrificial plaster fixed by us to restrict the microorganisms, cockroaches which cause harms to the art and craft. “I told at today’s managing committee meeting that since the deities are seated on the Ratna Singhasan this small repair will be undertaken during Rath Yatra next year,” said Malik. On being questioned by reporters about the conservation and repair of Ratna Bhandar, he stated that its control is not in the hands of the ASI. “Ratna Bhandar is not in the control of ASI. If ASI gets a request for inspection and assessment of conservation needs of Ratna Bhandar ASI will take up the work on a priority basis,” added Malik.