Konark Sun Temple sees historic moment as ASI begins sand extraction from sanctum after 122 years

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday began the process of removing sand from the inner sanctum of the Konark Sun Temple. The moment stands historic as it will mark the beginning of the first physical access into the filled chamber in more than 120 years.

Sources cited ASI experts who confirmed that drilling work has already reached the sand layer placed inside the garbhagriha (sanctum) of the temple. Moreover, by Monday evening, a nine-metre opening with a diameter of around 16 centimetres had been drilled from the western side of the structure.

Drilling Progresses Inside The Garbhagriha

Officials at the site reported that drilling has advanced up to the point where the original sand filling begins, and measurements indicate that the sanctum wall is about eight metres thick.

The opening has been created at nearly 80 feet on the western elevation of the monument, while the entire temple height is approximately 127 feet. Sources reported that the extracted material includes sand and stone fragments from the interior section, and these samples are being collected for scientific examination.

The Archaeological Survey of India has stated that moisture has been detected within the sand layer, based on initial observations from the drilling zone.

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Advanced Equipment Deployed To Protect Stonework

A ten-member expert group initiated the core-drilling process after conducting checks on the structural condition of the temple stones. The work has been undertaken using diamond-drill equipment and zero-vibration machinery to avoid any impact on the historic stone blocks.

The operation is positioned on the first tier of the temple’s western side, identified as the direction from which a future tunnel will be developed to extract the sand from the garbhagriha. Measurements of the sanctum wall and surrounding stone sections were carried out using lasers, endoscopic photography, and other specialised scientific tools before the drilling entry point was finalised.

Details From Archival Records

Historical information shared at the site notes that the British authorities filled the sanctum with sand and stone in 1903 after concerns about structural stability.

Previous reports mentioning water entering through openings around the sanctum during different periods, including the 1999 cyclone, indicated that the sand had become compacted up to a height of nearly 17 feet.

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Records also show that a stone retaining wall was constructed around the sanctum at about 15 feet during the early reinforcement work. The recent drilling has encountered the same filled section recorded in those earlier documents, according to information associated with the operation.