Synopsis: The eight-month project, which began in January, addresses severe structural damage, including broken stones, weakened pillars, and unstable beams. Restoration efforts include stone reinforcement and replacement to ensure stability.
The APSARA National Authority (ANA), in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has completed the restoration of the third western gallery of Ta Prohm Temple. The project began in January this year and was completed in August.
Chitranjan Kumar, head of the Ta Prohm restoration site, confirmed the completion of the eight-month project, noting that the gallery had previously faced serious structural challenges.
These included severe stone breakage at the corners, pillars, walls, roofs, and beams, which required urgent reinforcement as recommended by the ICC-Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk committees.
The restoration process involved removing unstable stones, repositioning displaced ones, and replacing missing elements with new stones to strengthen the structure.
Experts believe that with the completion of the structural restoration, the third gallery will no longer pose risks to the temple or visitors. Instead, it will enhance the safety, beauty, and appeal of the temple.
The temple features a set of concentric galleries with corner towers and gopuras, with additional buildings and enclosures. The temple is selected to provide visitors with a romantic vision of ruins, especially due to the spectacular trees. But, in order to avoid damage to the monument and to ensure safety for a huge amount of visitors, consolidation and restoration works were performed.
It was founded by King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501745950/ta-prohms-third-western-gallery-fully-restored/
