ASI begins drilling at Konark Sun Temple on April 23, 2026

Key facts

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has initiated drilling a 6x5-foot passage into the Jagamohan (assembly hall) of the Konark Sun Temple.
• The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century monument designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
• The British filled the Jagamohan with sand between 1901 and 1903 to provide structural stability and prevent the monument from collapsing.
• The temple was constructed by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, involving approximately 1,200 sculptors over a 12-year period.
• Diamond drilling technology is being employed by the ASI technical team to ensure zero vibrations and protect the structural integrity of the site.
• Sand and stone samples from the temple were analysed by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) prior to the start of the drilling process.
• A previous attempt to investigate the interior of the structure was conducted in the mid-1950s by the then Director General (DG) Debala Mitra.
• The monument was originally designed as a chariot for the Sun God, though the main temple tower that once housed the deity has since collapsed.