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CONSERVATION PROBLEMS OF THE OLD RANGNATH VENUGOPAL TEMPLE, PUSHKAR

INTRODUCTION

Shri Rnagnath Venugopal Temple(old), more popularly known as Old Rangji Temple is one of the oldest temple in Pushkar. It was built by Shri Pooranmalji Ganeriwal in 1844 A.D. The temple is located in the center of the town and on the North of the Pushkar lake. The temple is dedicated to Rangnath Venugopal or Lord Krishna. The temple has others shrines of Goddess Laxmi, Goddamaji and Shri Ramanujacharya. This is the first temple of the South India Ramanuja Sampradaya(a Vishnu sect) in Rajasthan.

The temple has an unique combination of Rajasthani and South Indian style of architecture.

The temple complex is spread out over an area of about 90000 sq. feet.

The temple complex from its outside surrounded by many shops.

The temple complex comprises several structures within its boundary.

The whole temple complex is decorated with Fresco Paintings or its is called Ala-Gila in Rajasthan.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

Layout

Entrance

Depiction of animal and floral design on the entrance wall

Museum &Office

Stage

Southern Side

Shops

Western Side

Hanuman Temple

Northern Side

Ramstambha

Gopuram

Garudhwaja

Bali Pit

The main Shrine

Shikhra

Mixed Styles

The temple complex has been primarily decorated with extensive use of Fresco paintings which has been done on Aarish or Alagila. Plaster with natural vegetable pigments. The major themes of the paintings and carvings are religious and mythological stories such as Vishnu avatars, Samundramanthan, Krishna leela, Vyala..etc.

Paintings

Vishnu Avatars

Samundramanthan

Krishna Leela

Vyala

STONE BRICK

MARBLE LIME

Material Used

Methods for Preparing wall for Ala-Gila

Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) with Carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbs from the environment makes Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and Hydrogen oxide (H2O). (Ca(OH)2) + (CO2) = (CaCO3) + (H2O)

This process is called Carbonation. Calcium carbonate is called Quick Lime.

Layers of the wall

Core material (Stone).Binding material mixed of stone, brick powder, brick zeera, marble and husk. Then applied double coating of (CaCO3) or Quick Lime.

1. Salt Formation2. Algae and mosses3. Cracks4. Flaking off the layers5. Water Seepage6. Blackening due to oil/soot7. Detachment of the colour

pigments

Problems with the structures and wall paintings

Salt Formation

Algae & Mosses

Cracks

Flaking off the layers

Water Seepage

Blackening due to oil/soot

Detachment of the colour pigments

Removal of Salt formation• Paper Pulping• Clay Poultice• Sacrificial Rendering

Conservation and Restoration Technique

Removal of Algae & Mosses• Chemical treatment such as spray of oxygenated bleaching

• Cleaning by ammonic solution.

Filling up the Cracks• Narrow cracks- Hydraulic lime grout

• Wider cracks- lime concrete

Problems of Water seepage• Check water seepage by all the possible ways

• Stains from running water can removed by wetting & scrubbing with a high pressure mist.

Removal of Oil/Soot• Scrub with neutral pH detergent.

• Poultice based on Methyl Chloroform

Preventing from colour detachments• Cleaning by soft brushes and

• Putting of adhesives on the colour pigments.