The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reportedly detected cracks at some places on the outer wall of the Ratna Bhandar of Puri Srimandir during its ongoing laser scanning.
As per reports, the long-awaited laser scanning of the Ratna Bhandar of Puri Srimandir started on Tuesday. A 15-member team of the ASI along with architects, and experts in surveillance and photography are part of the laser scanning exercise. On Wednesday, laser scanning on 12 points of the north side and upper part of the Ratna Bhandar was carried out.
Speaking to the media, ASI superintendent, DB Garnayak said, “During the first day of the laser scanning and documentation of 37 points of the north-western part and north-eastern part of the Ratna Bhandar, some cracks were detected. The scanning on 12 points on the northern and upper part of the Ratna Bhandar was done today.”
He further stated that a report will be prepared which will be submitted to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and the Orissa High Court.
In the next phase, the laser scanning of the main temple and the temples of side deities will be carried out.
He spoke about the utility of the laser camera. “It is able to rotate 360 degrees and can zoom in on micro-cracks, which cannot be visible to open eyes or are present in higher places," he added.
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Mahant Ram Charan Das, a former member of the Srimandir Management Committee observed, “We appeal to the ASI to carry out the scanning carefully and properly. All are anxious to know what is inside the Ratna Bhandar. Scanning the outer wall will serve no purpose. There is a need for scanning the insides of the Ratna Bhandar.”
Notably, the temple administration had permitted the ASI for the laser scanning of the outer wall of the Ratna Bhandar to detect suspected cracks through which water is seeping inside.