New Delhi:

A team of five archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), including women members, has commenced “groundbreaking underwater explorations” off the coast of Dwarka in Gujarat, the Ministry of Culture said on Tuesday.

“The current underwater investigations mark a significant step in ASI’s mission to safeguard India’s rich underwater cultural heritage,” it said in a statement.

This underwater exploration is part of the renewed Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) of the ASI, which has “recently been revived” to undertake offshore surveys and investigations in Dwarka and Bet Dwarka in Gujarat, the ministry said.

A team of five archaeologists from the ASI, led by Professor Alok Tripathi, Additional Director-General (Archaeology) has “commenced groundbreaking underwater explorations off the coast of Dwarka,” it added.

The team, which also includes H K Nayak, Director (Excavations and Explorations); Aparajita Sharma, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist; Poonam Vind, and Rajkumari Barbina, has selected an area near the Gomati Creek for initial investigations, the statement said.

“For the first time in ASI, this team comprises a significant number of women archaeologists and the most number of archaeologists actively participating in underwater investigations,” it said.

The UAW has been at the forefront of underwater archaeological research since the 1980s. Since 2001, the wing has been conducting explorations at sites such as Bangaram Island (Lakshadweep), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Dwarka (Gujarat), Loktak Lake (Manipur), and Elephanta Island (Maharashtra), the ministry said.

Archaeologists of UAW have also collaborated with the Indian Navy and other government organisations for the study and protection of underwater cultural heritage, it said.

Earlier, the UAW had carried out offshore and onshore excavations at Dwarka from 2005 to 2007. “The coastal areas were examined during low tide where sculptures and stone anchors were discovered. Based on those explorations, underwater excavations were carried out,” the statement said. 

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Bhubaneswar:

Authorities at the Puri Jagannath Temple on Tuesday called for immediate repairs after cracks were discovered in the temple’s outer boundary wall, known as the Meghannath Prachari.

Arabinda K Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, addressed concerns about cracks in the temple’s outer boundary wall. Padhee revealed that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been tasked with the restoration and conservation efforts.

He said, “The Archaeological Survey of India has been taking the restoration and repair and conservation works of the Sri Jagannath temple in Puri. And over the last few months, we have noticed a few cracks in the Meghannath Prachari, the outer wall of the Sri Jagannath temple.”

Padhee also underlined that the temple administration has requested urgent repairs and restoration from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He added, “From the Sri Jagannath temple administration side, the technical team of our administration, we have already noticed the cracks and we have already taken some original repair works.” He mentioned that they have corrected the crevices and removed moss and algae from affected areas, as well as worked to prevent water seepage.

Padhee also noted a drainage issue from the Ananda Bajar site, which the temple administration is addressing. He assured full support to the ASI in their repair efforts, requesting a comprehensive and scientific survey of the Meghannath Kachari for long-term solutions. He stated, “The structural safety and integrity of the temple structure is of paramount importance to the temple administration.”

Earlier in the day, Jagandas Mohapatra, a priest at the Lord Jagannath Temple, also said, “This temple is one of the oldest temples. There are some cracks in the boundary wall. We’ve requested ASI to restore it as soon as possible.”
 

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New Delhi:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that declaring the historic Jama Masjid a “protected monument” would have a “substantial Impact” and no steps have been taken in this regard so far.

In an affidavit filed in response to PILs on the issue, the ASI said once a monument is declared a protected monument, certain regulations and prohibitions in the area around it come into force.

It further said that although the Mughal-era Jama Masjid is currently under the protection and guardianship of the Delhi Waqf Board, the ASI has been undertaking conservation and preservation work there.

A bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh orally said it was not inclined to declare Jama Masjid a “protected monument” in view of the stand of the ASI and ordered the petitioners to file their notes with respect to the steps that should be taken for the protection of the historic structure.

“They (ASI) are saying there is a hesitation. There is an impact of declaring it a protected monument,” the court observed while dealing with PILs seeking directions to authorities to declare the Jama Masjid a protected monument and remove all encroachments in and around it.

The bench, also comprising Justice Amit Sharma, nonetheless added that it would look into the issue of streamlining the administration of the mosque and asked the Delhi Waqf Board to inform it about the status of the 9-member managing committee that was earlier appointed for the Jama Masjid.

“One thing is clear, even if it is not treated as a protected monument, its revenue cannot exclusively go to any private individual,” the court said, while suggesting that some reimbursement could be given to ASI for the preservation work undertaken by it.

The ASI, represented by central government standing counsel Manish Mohan, stated in its affidavit that it has spent over 60 lakh on the conservation works carried out at the Jama Masjid since 2007.

The affidavit by ASI further said that since the Jama Masjid was not a “protected monument”, it had no information about the generation and utilisation of its revenue.

“There is a substantial impact of declaring Jama Masjid as a protected monument. The provision of prohibited area will be applicable to the Jama Masjid, which is a 100-metre zone from a protected monument in which new construction is prohibited. Further, in regulated areas (200 metre zone beyond prohibited area) all construction-related activities are regulated and require prior permission from the Competent Authority and National Monuments Authority,” the document said.

The authorities, also represented by the Centre’s standing counsel Anil Soni, also said the “original file”, containing the decision of the then prime minister Manmohan Singh that the Jama Masjid should not be declared a protected monument, could not be traced.

The court had sought production of the file before it on August 28.

During the hearing, senior advocate DP Singh, appearing for one of the petitioners, raised concerns with respect to the utilisation of the revenue generated by the Jama Masjid.

He said the Jama Masjid in Pakistan is a world heritage site.

Another petitioner objected to the use of the title “Shahi Imam” by the religious head in the Jama Masjid.

The bench, however, said it was not concerned with the title but actual benefit to the people.

“This happens in a lot of temples also. We are not concerned with the title but the actual benefit to the people,” it said.

Listing the matter for hearing in December, the court said the Centre was free to place on record its views with respect to the streamlining of the revenue utilisation as well as the managing committee appointed by the Waqf board.

It also asked the ASI to carry out a survey of the mosque and place it a sketch along with photographs of its premises.

The PILs, filed by Suhail Ahmed Khan and Ajay Gautam in 2014, have objected to the use of the title ‘Shahi Imam’ by Jama Masjid’s Imam Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari and the appointment of his son as the Naib (deputy) Imam.   The pleas have also questioned why Jama Masjid was not under the ASI.

The ASI had in August 2015 told the court that former prime minister Singh had assured the Shahi Imam that the Jama Masjid would not be declared a protected monument. 

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A view of Shree Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

“The Odisha government will unlock the ‘Ratna Bhandar’, the revered treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri, on July 14 after 46 years for an inventory of the valuables and the repair of the structure,” an official said. The treasury was last opened in 1978.

“The Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath temple will be opened today at 1.28 p.m.,” said Justice Biswanath Rath, the chairman of the committee formed by the State government to supervise the inventory of valuables in the treasury. “The decision was taken at a meeting of the committee held in Puri,” he said.

“Members of the committee, including Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, will visit the treasury after the reopening,” he added. “The place where the valuables will be kept temporarily has also been identified,” said the former Orissa High Court judge.

“The ritual of ‘Agnya’, in which approval is sought for the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar, was completed in the morning. The members of the committee will enter the shrine at 12 p.m. in traditional attire for the reopening,” said C.B.K. Mohanty, another member of the committee.

“Before reopening the treasury, we will seek the approval of Goddess Bimala, Goddess Laxmi, who is the owner of the treasury, and lastly seek the approval of Lord Lokanath, who is its caretaker,” Justice Rath said.

In the morning, Justice Rath and Mr. Padhee offered prayers before Lord Jagannath and his siblings at the Gundicha temple for the smooth completion of the works. “Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been made for the entire process,” Mr. Padhee said.

“Three SOPs have been made. One is related to the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar, the second for the management of the temporary Ratna Bhandar, and the third one is related to inventory of the valuables,” he said.

“The inventory work will not start today. It will be done after getting approval from the government on the engagement of valuers, goldsmiths and other experts,” he added.

“The government has decided to prepare a digital catalogue of the valuables in the Ratna Bhandar that will have details such as their weight and make,” another official said.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Superintendent DB Gadanayak said structural engineers, mechanical engineers and civil engineers will inspect the Ratna Bhandar for the repair work.

Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel were seen entering the temple premises with lights that will be installed inside the Ratna Bhandar. It is also apprehended that there are snakes inside the treasury.

Snake Helpline member Subhendu Mallick said, “We have come here on the instruction of the State government. There will be two teams of snake catchers — one inside and another outside the temple. We will follow all instructions of the administration.”

Indore:

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday granted eight more weeks to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to complete its scientific survey of the disputed medieval-era Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex.

However, a division bench of Justices SA Dharmadhikari and Gajendra Singh made it clear the ASI won’t be given any more time at the end of this 8-week period.

The bench fixed the next date of hearing on July 4 and directed ASI to submit its final report.

It also turned down a plea of a group of Muslims seeking a stay on the survey work.

Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society on behalf of Muslims objected to ASI’s request for more time. It had also claimed the ASI was carrying out excavations contrary to the order of the Supreme Court in the matter.

On April 1, the Supreme Court had made clear that “no physical excavation should be taken which will change the character of the premises in question,” while refusing to stay the “scientific survey” of Bhojshala.

On Monday, the High Court rejected the objection of Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society and said the respondent was free to approach the appropriate forum if any such violation was taking place.

Hindus consider Bhojshala, an ASI-protected 11th-century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls it Kamal Maula Mosque.

As per an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja in the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.

On March 11, the HC ordered the ASI to conduct a “scientific survey” of the Bhojshala-Kamal Moula mosque complex within six weeks. The survey was ordered on a plea from an outfit called Hindu Front for Justice (HFJ). The survey started on March 22.

On April 22, the ASI filed an application stating it needed some more time for the survey to understand the nature of exposed portions of the structures in the disputed premises.

The ASI, in its application, stated a detailed survey of the complex and its peripheral area is in progress using scientific tools, and its team is conducting detailed documentation of the entire monument.

Excavation, which is a very systematic and slow process, is also in progress, and more time will be needed to understand the nature of exposed portions of the structures, it said.

“On close examination of the monument, it is observed that later filling in the entrance porch is hiding the original features of the structure, and its removal is to be done very carefully, without causing any damage to the original structure, which is a slow and time-taking process,” the ASI application stated.

The application also said the ASI has requested National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) to conduct a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey.

A NGRI team was surveying the entire area regularly, strictly complying with the directions passed by the High Court, the ASI plea said.

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