Guwahati: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is taking care of conservation work of 16th century temples in Sibsagar district of Assam, will take up similar projects in Joysagar and Charaideo soon.
After completing the conservation of the 17 monuments in Sibsagar, the ASI will initiate work at the group of monuments in Joysagar and Charaideo in a phased manner as per priority, ASI Superintending Archaeologist Dr M K Chauley said here.
Describing about the conservation work at the 16th century dilapidated temples at Gaurisagar in Sibsagar district, including the temples such as Sivadol and Vishnudol, Chauley told PTI that the structures were re-plastered after removal of plants.
The major challenge in the work was the green foliage which crept up due to the rains which lash the state for six to seven months a year, he said. “These vegetation growths are of various types from micro to macro. The micro vegetation dies with change in weather, whereas the macro vegetal ones grow deep roots all over the temple,” Chauley said.
Though the plants were cut, their roots, grow thick over a period of time and damage the walls, especially by widening the cracks in the joints of the projections of the temple, he said. “It is through these gaps that water trickles down into the Sikhara and the temple keeping the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) dampens throughout the year,” Chauley said.
The ASI then decided that before the rains much of the big roots within the walls would be chopped and the void would be sealed with lime mortar so that they do not re-grow.
Wherever the lime plaster around these void got damaged, they were also removed and plastered anew with compatible materials for posterity leaving no scope for further growth of plants, he said.
The repair as required may be seen as patchwork due to use of new mortar but it gradually merges with the other plaster over a period of time after one or two spells of rains, the ASI official said.
After the ASI completed conservation work at the temples, worship and rituals have resumed there, he said.
The ASI official also said that only small specialised and traditional tools were used for the work which was carried out by specialised personnel, including masons who have been working with the ASI for about 7-8 years. (PTI)