ASI restores 9 Gurjara-Pratihara shrines in MP

Bhopal, Sep 13 (UNI) Nine Gurjara-Pratihara temples, devastated by an earthquake centuries ago, have been restored to their former grandeur and another 40 structures are under renovation at Bateshwar hilly area in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district.

The cost for renovating the roughly 14-centuries-old shrines and other structures, belonging to Gurjara-Pratihara period, is estimated to be Rs 50 lakh.

''An earthquake hit the Gurjara-Pratihara temples that were constructed between the 7th and 9th centuries AD. A sum of Rs 15 lakh was expended on the nine shrines,'' ASI Bhopal Circle Superintending Archaeologist K K Mohammad told UNI.

Chanderi's sculptors were employed for the renovation of the structures located approximately 40 km from the citadel town of Gwalior.

A tree that had taken roots on one of these temples has now been conserved besides a pond.

''Fortunately, the site did not suffer any smuggling,'' said Mr Mohammad. The area, infamous for Chambal Valley's dacoit gangs, also has heritage treasures at Naresar, Mitawli, Padawli, Suhania, Tumain, Ater among others. Surrendered bandit, Sarnam Singh, has been in charge of security at the site.

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