Last-minute emergency repair work on Badshahi Ashoorkhana
The Hindu
400-year-old structure gears up for Muharram
Days to go before the beginning of Muharram, the Telangana Department of Archaeology and Museums is carrying out emergency repair works on the 400-year-old Badshahi Ashoorkhana. “Large cracks have appeared on two of the wooden capitals capping the columns and one of the beams is showing signs of sagging along with signs of leakages,” informs Mir Abbas Ali Moosavi, the caretaker of the Ashoorkhana. For the first 10 days of the Muslim calendar month of Muharram, the Ashoorkhana or house of mourning becomes a site of Ziyarat (pilgrimage) as alams (battle standards) are installed and people from all faiths offer prayers. “We are applying Tapecrete, a polymer-based waterproofing coat, on the 20th century cement concrete covering the original lime concrete layer to prevent water seepage during monsoons. We expect to finish the work in three days so that Muharram observances are not interrupted,” says Prashant Banerjee of Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which is carrying out the repair work. Three years earlier, the DAM carried out temporary measures to protect the building. “The western wall with the tile work has no seepage thanks to that repair work. But portions of the ceiling have become wet affecting the wooden roofing,” says Mr. Moosavi, pointing to the damaged portions of the ceiling.More Related News