BHUBANESWAR: An afternoon after President Ram Nath Kovind nominated Raghunath Mohapatra and 3 others to the Rajya Sabha, the sculptor's efforts to build a 'second' Konark Temple is again at the political centre stage in the state.
Mohapatra said his dream of constructing a replica of the 13th century Sun Temple was once a step closer to truth now. "Building a second Konark temple is my dream. I want to revive the art work, and present the same to the country. I see this happening with the cooperation of the Centre and the state government," Mohapatra said, after paying obeisance on the Lingaraj Temple, an 11th century Shiva shrine right here.
Raghunath has discovered backing in Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The minister, who additionally visited Lingaraj around the similar time, said, "I completely support the move. The entire country will back the efforts to build a second Konark. Mohapatra's ancestors built the Jagannath, Konark and Lingaraj temples."
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD reacted angrily to Dharmendra's claims. "The BJD will support any move to promote the state's art, culture and heritage, but the Centre should not drag Konark into politics. It's a reflection of the state's rich cultural heritage," said BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra.
Famous for his work at the preservation of historical monuments, Mohapatra has talked in regards to the need for a second Konark, to be called the Aditya Narayan Temple, for the past five years. He added that he sought after to offer the country a glimpse into the real glory of Konark, only a portion of which stays now.
Considered an architectural surprise, the reason for the Sun Temple's destruction is unclear. While many consider it originates from natural causes, others say invaders destroyed it. Another college of thought says the Konark Temple was once by no means finished.
Mohapatra, a Class III dropout who was once awarded the Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2013, had final 12 months said he would complete the temple mission on a 100-acre land at the Puri-Bhubaneswar direction. "The move will not be a wasteful expenditure because the work will generate employment opportunities and the temple will attract tourists," he said.
People in the state, on the other hand, gave the impression divided over the desire for a second Konark. Lauding Mohapatra's dream, Biswaranjan Nayak, the state's leader architect, said only a sculptor of his calibre could dream of establishing a second Konark. "One must welcome this. If a second Konark is built, the world will get to know what the temple actually looked like," he said.
Pritish Acharya, a professor of history, said the mission would nurture skill but called for a debate on its expenditure.
Mohapatra said his dream of constructing a replica of the 13th century Sun Temple was once a step closer to truth now. "Building a second Konark temple is my dream. I want to revive the art work, and present the same to the country. I see this happening with the cooperation of the Centre and the state government," Mohapatra said, after paying obeisance on the Lingaraj Temple, an 11th century Shiva shrine right here.
Raghunath has discovered backing in Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The minister, who additionally visited Lingaraj around the similar time, said, "I completely support the move. The entire country will back the efforts to build a second Konark. Mohapatra's ancestors built the Jagannath, Konark and Lingaraj temples."
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD reacted angrily to Dharmendra's claims. "The BJD will support any move to promote the state's art, culture and heritage, but the Centre should not drag Konark into politics. It's a reflection of the state's rich cultural heritage," said BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra.
Famous for his work at the preservation of historical monuments, Mohapatra has talked in regards to the need for a second Konark, to be called the Aditya Narayan Temple, for the past five years. He added that he sought after to offer the country a glimpse into the real glory of Konark, only a portion of which stays now.
Considered an architectural surprise, the reason for the Sun Temple's destruction is unclear. While many consider it originates from natural causes, others say invaders destroyed it. Another college of thought says the Konark Temple was once by no means finished.
Mohapatra, a Class III dropout who was once awarded the Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2013, had final 12 months said he would complete the temple mission on a 100-acre land at the Puri-Bhubaneswar direction. "The move will not be a wasteful expenditure because the work will generate employment opportunities and the temple will attract tourists," he said.
People in the state, on the other hand, gave the impression divided over the desire for a second Konark. Lauding Mohapatra's dream, Biswaranjan Nayak, the state's leader architect, said only a sculptor of his calibre could dream of establishing a second Konark. "One must welcome this. If a second Konark is built, the world will get to know what the temple actually looked like," he said.
Pritish Acharya, a professor of history, said the mission would nurture skill but called for a debate on its expenditure.
RS berth breathes life into Raghunath's Konark dream
![RS berth breathes life into Raghunath's Konark dream]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
July 16, 2018
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