Bolangir: Even as there is a ban on any kind of excavation in protected monuments in the country, the alleged digging of ground for laying pipelines for a canal project at the heritage site of Ranipur-Jharial here has triggered a row, a report said Thursday.
This has happened despite the site being declared a protected monument and is under the possession of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for conservation. There is not only a ban on any kind of excavation in ancient heritage sites without the permission of the ASI but is also punishable under the law.
It is alleged that the excavation has been carried out near the Chhelia temple of the heritage site for laying pipelines for the canal project.
The matter came to the fore after a man named Thabir Chandra Bag lodged a complaint at the Sindhekela police station in this regard.
Ranipur-Jharial is an important heritage site in Bolangir district. It has a shrine of presiding deity of 64 Yoginis and is 104 km away from Bolangir town. The site stands on a rocky hill and is known as “Soma Tirth” in scriptures. The site is a combination of religious faiths of Shaivism, Buddhism, Vaisnavism and Tantra. The 64 Yoginis are worshiped on a close circular open vault. It is one of the four such shrines in India. The temple dedicated to Lord Someswar is noted one among a plethora of about 50 temples here.
The ASI has not only taken up the site for conservation but also mentions it in its Central Conservation List. No excavation work could be carried out without the prior permission of the Central agency as these works might wreak damage to the site and lead to destruction of ancient memorials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bolangir had announced his government’s commitment for the conservation and development of the ancient heritage site.
The ASI officials also organised a presser and announced to have taken up the site for conservation. The ASI officials announced that the renovation and the protection of the monument will be done at an expenditure of Rs 9.6 crore.
They also had said that a boundary wall would be constructed around the 64 Yogini temple, Ranigudi or Rani temple of 9th century and the Indralath temple of 7th century and over 50 memorials inside it.
When contacted, Sami Reddy Jayshree, additional tehsildar of Bangomunda, said she has no information on the development but assured to take steps after consulting the revenue inspector.
BDO Aniruddh Pradhan said the ASI could better speak on the issue.
PNN