Bhubaneswar, Dec. 9 -- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday began the process of removing sand from the inner sanctum of the Konark Sun Temple. The moment stands historic as it will mark the beginning of the first physical access into the filled chamber in more than 120 years.

Sources cited ASI experts who confirmed that drilling work has already reached the sand layer placed inside the garbhagriha (sanctum) of the temple. Moreover, by Monday evening, a nine-metre opening with a diameter of around 16 centimetres had been drilled from the western side of the structure.

Officials at the site reported that drilling has advanced up to the point where the original sand filling begins, and measurements indicate that the sanctum...