Bhubaneswar, Dec. 8 -- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun the long-awaited process of removing sand from the sanctum sanctorum of the Konark Sun Temple, marking a major milestone in the structural conservation of the 13th-century monument. The operation commenced on Monday with the construction of a 4 ft x 4 ft tunnel on the western side of the sanctum's first platform, following prior examinations of the stone wall's condition.

The activity follows Saturday's customary rituals, after which the ASI initiated a 17-inch core drilling exercise. The procedure was supervised by ASI Superintendent D. B. Garnayak and Regional Director Dilip Khamari, along with a 10-member expert team that inspected and reviewed the structural in...