Bhubaneswar: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday undertook laser scanning surveys of the Konark Temple in Puri and its adjoining areas ahead of a beautification work in the area.
A three-member team of the National Geographical Research Institute (NGRI) accompanied by the ASI, Puri Circle, Superintendent, DB Garnayak, and Deputy Engineer Chittaranjan Das undertook the GPRS laser scanning survey. The sanctum sanctorum of the 13th-century shrine and its underground were also surveyed to ascertain whether there is any secret chamber or debris buried below the Konark Temple.
The team also carried out an underground survey of the temple surroundings before the beautification work began.
The team comprised Senior Scientist Dr AK Pandey, Scientists Nilesh Kumar Jaiswal and Satish Chandra Verma. Garnayak said that the survey was undertaken at the request of the state government. The beautification work around the temple will begin after getting reports of the GPRS laser scanning surveys, he added.
