Archaeological treasure in Khajuraho under threat

Bhopal, Dec 17: An archaeological treasure trove may be lost forever in the World Heritage Site Khajuraho where mounds -- believed to contain ancient shrines -- are being neglected even as the work on discovering remains has ground to a halt as these mounds are not being made available to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Swami Pranavanand Saraswati Vidyalaya was set up over the Dhaurar mound about three decades back. Even now, the remains of 3.5-metre-high rock temple can be observed.

Another mound was destroyed and a pathway created for bullock-carts.

This despite the fact that a structure was found during the excavation of the Satdhara mound in 1981-82. The Bija Mandal temple -- regarded as the largest shrine in Khajuraho at present -- was discovered about a decade back during excavation of a large mound.

Of the 85 temples originally built by the Chandelas, who ruled between the 9th and the 11th centuries, only about 25 exist.

However, according to official sources, a demand for necessary land to undertake excavation has been pending for several years with the revenue department. These mounds are spread in an area of over five-six km around Khajuraho and Jatkara villages.

Besides the Bija Mandal, Khajaru, Baniani, Satkuan, Jakhnaura and Madia Pachare mounds are located in Jatkara area, while 11 mounds, including Bhainsa Lakhori, Batasa, Khartia, Bakharia, Khakra, Sirmaura, Sirani, Bagichi, Satdhara and Dhaurar mounds are located in Khajuraho village. The mounds -- 2-3.5 m in height with in an area of 100-1,500 square metre -- could loose its existence due to growing population and encroachment if nearby land was not renovated.

Meanwhile, lack of resources with the ASI and the condition imposed by the Madhya Pradesh Government to provide land on market price was also a problem.

Sources said Rs 28 lakh were deposited for 1.12 hectare land in Ghantai temple area in October 2003. The revenue department did not provide the land but demanded Rs 44,000 more in 2006 for it.

In November 2003, Rs 73 lakh was deposited for 18.24 hectare near Vaman and Jabari temple. Far from providing the land, the revenue department demanded Rs 1.33 crore in March 2006 creating a problem for the ASI.

In 2003, Rs 2.20 crore was deposited for 25 hectare land near the western group of temples. The land was acquired after fulfilling additional demand for Rs 70 lakh and about 150 houses had to be vacated in the area.

A demand for diverting traffic from Bamitha highway to by-pass road and to close the concerned gate was made to the Chhatarpur district administration. The efforts have not been successful.

UNI