Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 16: Orissa’s unique cultural heritage epitomised by the Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills is increasingly reeling under the threat of uncontrolled tourism which endangers their survival, conservationists fear.
Built in the 2ND century BC about 33 rock-cut temples atop the twin hills are some of the rarest Jain temples surviving in the state, according to historians.
Unfortunately, these heritage sites stare at the spectre of destruction wrought by the menacing tide of tourists and pollution emitted from their motor vehicles.
The caves which were originally built to give shelter to wandering Jain ascetics have now been illegally taken over by vendors and anti-social elements.
The heedless intrusion of tourists apathetic to the value of artistic heritage is a reality that hurts an art lover. Ugly graffiti and signs have filled the walls of most temples.
Showing complete disregard to the architectural splendour of the sites, some miscreants have defaced the walls by painting heart symbols to express their love for their beloveds and by scribbling their names on the walls of the temples that are listed as protected documents by the ASI. INTACH Orissa chief co-coordinator, Anil Dhir said the present upkeep of the monuments reveal the status accorded to heritage documents in the state and in the country.
He said INTACH would bring the issue to the focus of the ASI authorities.
ASI officials, however, said, they are only responsible for the maintenance of the monument and are already facing severe staff and fund crunch.
They added a coordinated action plan involving municipal authorities, tourism and culture department and the local community can alone ensure the survival of the monuments.
“Khandagiri and Udayagiri are contemporaries of Ajanata and Ellora caves, which have been declared world heritage sites by UNESO,” said Archeology Survey of India’s senior archaeologist Sunil Patnaik.
Professor KP Rao, history professor at University of Hyderabad said these sites which have withstood the ravages of time and human conquests for centuries are some of the very few surviving relics of Jain architecture, religion and culture in the country.
He added they need to be protected as these treasure troves of history with their immense archeological and cultural significance are the only means through which future generations would get to appreciate the splendour of a bygone era.
