A chemical wash of the Gomateshwara statue atop Vindhyagiri in Shravanabelagola is expected to be completed in December. The science branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) does such a wash after every Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony, held once in 12 years.
K. Moortheshwari, superintending archaeologist of ASI, told The Hindu on Tuesday that she had written to the science branch to take up the chemical wash. “The officials will probably do so in December,” she said.
During the cleaning work, the ASI will undertake a study to find out the outlet for liquids poured on the statue. There is a crevice in front of the statue and liquids flow through it. But, nobody knows where the outlet is. “To study this, we need to pour some liquids on the statue. The best time to study it would be during the wash,” Ms. Moortheswari said.
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The ASI has begun chiselling one more set of steps for Chandragiri, another hillock with historical significance. Chandragiri, also known as Small Hill (Chikka Betta), is the resting place of Chandragupta Maurya. It has many inscriptions of historical importance.
A ceremony marking the start of the chiselling work was held on Monday. “All these days there has been only one set of steps for both those going up and those coming down. There is a need for an additional set of steps,” Ms. Moortheswari said.