Revamped Maluti temple to boost heritage tourism | Ranchi News
Ranchi: Nestled in a sleepy hamlet of Dumka district, the Maluti temple complex in Dumka is on the verge of a grand reopening. The Jharkhand govt, under its ongoing heritage conservation initiative, has nearly completed restoration on this historically significant site, and plans to open it to the public later this year.
The Maluti temple complex, dating back to the Basanta Dynasty, originally comprised 108 intricately carved terracotta temples.
Gradually, many suffered damage due to lack of upkeep. At present, around 62 are under conservation. These temples located in Dumka’s Maluti neighbouring Bengal border are celebrated for their unique Bengal-style architecture and exquisite panels depicting mythological scenes and folklore.
The restoration, which began in 2015, was undertaken in two phases by the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD), adhering strictly to norms laid out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“Our focus was on the purity of the site. No structural alterations were made. We used specialised bricks to match the original construction material,” said Asif Ekram, director of culture.
In the first phase, conservation was carried out on 20 temples at an estimated cost of Rs 3.25 crore.
The second phase saw the restoration of the remaining 42 temples, with an estimated budget of Rs 3.55 crore.
“This has been one of our most significant conservation efforts. The idea is not only to preserve heritage but also to introduce these sites to tourists and scholars alike,” Ekram added.
With the restoration nearing completion, the state art, culture, tourism and youth affairs department now aims to develop the surrounding infrastructure to make the site more accessible.
“Jharkhand has a rich but unexplored historical legacy. By reviving sites like Maluti, we want to place Jharkhand prominently on the heritage tourism map of India,” Ekram said.
In addition to the Maluti temple complex, other major conservation efforts are underway across the state. The 400-year-old Palamu Fort in the Latehar district, located inside the Betla National Park, is also set to undergo restoration.
“The Palamu Forts, built by the Chero dynasty, especially under Raja Medini Rai, are architecturally significant and strategically located. The New Fort was a defensive extension against Mughal invasions. Their conservation will revive a crucial chapter of Jharkhand’s medieval history,” said Ekram. The work will commence this year. Moreover, restoration of the iconic Audrey House in Ranchi is already complete. As part of its comprehensive initiative to safeguard historical and cultural assets, the state govt had identified 26 heritage sites for restoration in 2012.
The Maluti temple complex, dating back to the Basanta Dynasty, originally comprised 108 intricately carved terracotta temples.
Gradually, many suffered damage due to lack of upkeep. At present, around 62 are under conservation. These temples located in Dumka’s Maluti neighbouring Bengal border are celebrated for their unique Bengal-style architecture and exquisite panels depicting mythological scenes and folklore.
The restoration, which began in 2015, was undertaken in two phases by the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD), adhering strictly to norms laid out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“Our focus was on the purity of the site. No structural alterations were made. We used specialised bricks to match the original construction material,” said Asif Ekram, director of culture.
In the first phase, conservation was carried out on 20 temples at an estimated cost of Rs 3.25 crore.
The second phase saw the restoration of the remaining 42 temples, with an estimated budget of Rs 3.55 crore.
“This has been one of our most significant conservation efforts. The idea is not only to preserve heritage but also to introduce these sites to tourists and scholars alike,” Ekram added.
With the restoration nearing completion, the state art, culture, tourism and youth affairs department now aims to develop the surrounding infrastructure to make the site more accessible.
“Jharkhand has a rich but unexplored historical legacy. By reviving sites like Maluti, we want to place Jharkhand prominently on the heritage tourism map of India,” Ekram said.
In addition to the Maluti temple complex, other major conservation efforts are underway across the state. The 400-year-old Palamu Fort in the Latehar district, located inside the Betla National Park, is also set to undergo restoration.
“The Palamu Forts, built by the Chero dynasty, especially under Raja Medini Rai, are architecturally significant and strategically located. The New Fort was a defensive extension against Mughal invasions. Their conservation will revive a crucial chapter of Jharkhand’s medieval history,” said Ekram. The work will commence this year. Moreover, restoration of the iconic Audrey House in Ranchi is already complete. As part of its comprehensive initiative to safeguard historical and cultural assets, the state govt had identified 26 heritage sites for restoration in 2012.
link
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/120325-oprah-soc-860665f9054143eeb0dd846dc28fa740.jpg "Oprah-Approved Clothes, Shoes, and Bags Start at on Amazon")
