ASI restricts entry of visitors to ‘Nata Mandap’ of Konark Sun Temple

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has barred tourists from entering the ‘Nata Mandap’ of the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha’s Puri district.

As per the directive issued by the ASI Saturday, tourists will no longer be allowed to climb the ‘Nata Mandap’ of the 13th-century temple or touch the sculpted stone artworks.

Security personnel have been deployed to enforce the order.

Justifying the move, ASI Superintendent Archaeologist DB Gadnayak, said there have been instances of tourists falling from the Nata Mandap structure while taking selfies and pictures due to their carelessness, and getting seriously injured.

Similarly, some visitors were also seen touching and scratching the monument. So, for the preservation of the monument and the safety of the tourists, the restriction on entr