In a letter to Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, Pradhan sought expert team of ASI to Bhubaneswar to carry out detailed study and thorough excavation of the ‘Ekamra Kshetra’ for unearthing heritage structures which may lie buried under encroachments.
ASI recently chanced upon invaluable remains of 10th-11th century Somvanshi period temple floor at the north-west corner of the Sari temple. The ASI also discovered two other structures, believed to be remains of small shrines, and a portion of the Sari temple, Pradhan mentioned in his letter.
These findings are of immense archaeological, artistic & socio-cultural importance and therefore there is an immediate need for intervention to protect and preserve the remains of this priceless Odishan architecture and other heritage sites of the temple-town of Bhubaneswar, he further added.