The sand was originally packed into the sanctum during 1903–04 by British engineers to stabilise the structure and prevent collapse. Over time, the measure preserved the monument but made the inner chamber inaccessible. Authorities now plan to remove the fill gradually using scientific methods to assess structural stability and restore the space for visitors.
A 30-member multidisciplinary team has begun the process with zero-vibration diamond drilling at a height of nearly 80 feet inside the 127-foot-tall structure. A cylindrical core sample containing both stone and sand has been extracted and sent for analysis. Officials say findings will guide the pace and sequence of sand removal to prevent stress fractures or stone displacement.
Engineers detected cracks, slopes, and imbalances during earlier structural studies, prompting a cautious, phased strategy. Forty high-precision sensors are currently installed to monitor movement, pressure changes, and micro-fractures in real time. Data from these instruments is being continuously analysed to ensure the monument remains stable throughout the operation.
Conservation specialists describe the project as the most complex structural intervention undertaken at the site. Removing the sand all at once could destabilise the stone blocks, particularly because some of the fill has already settled several feet below its original level. Experts will therefore reinforce sections of masonry after each stage of extraction.
The temple, built in the 13th century under King Narasimhadeva I, is one of India’s most visited heritage monuments, attracting more than 3.5 million tourists annually and ranking second among ASI-protected sites after the Taj Mahal. Constructed primarily of khondalite and laterite stone, it is regarded as an architectural symbol of sun worship and medieval maritime power.
Historians note that parts of the inner structure had collapsed decades after construction, prompting colonial officer J. A. Bordian to seal the chamber with sand and build a protective wall behind it. While the measure preserved the monument, it left the sanctum unexplored for generations.
Officials say the current intervention aims not only to reopen the chamber but also to secure the temple’s structural integrity for centuries. If the restoration proceeds as planned, visitors could enter the sanctum for the first time in over 120 years, marking a major milestone in heritage conservation.
