After the laborious effort of two years, the largest cenotaph complex among the Ahar Cenotaph is being restored, not only for tourism but as a monument to be showcased for ideal practices of restoration.

The Ahar Cenotaphs has been a part of medieval Rajput legacy but due to its association with funerary activities, the complex had always been ignored as a significant heritage component.

Under the restoration plan, the two cenotaph’s complexes have been restored after 2 years of efforts. “The Mahrana Mewar Charitable Foundation has taken up the onus of conserving and protecting the cenotaphs of Rana Amar Singh (1597-1620 AD), 55^th custodian of the House of Mewar and Rana Sangram Singh II (1710-1734 AD), 61^st custodian of the House of Mewar as they are an important part of the culture and heritage,” said Bhupendra Singh Auwa, Chief Administrative Officer of MMCF.

The Ahar complex includes 319 cenotaphs among which the most prominent are 21 cenotaphs of the Ranas and Maharanas cremated here. Also, there is the 10^th century temple of Shiva and Parvati constructed in ‘Gurjar Pratihara’ style and few step wells that were built under the patronage of various rulers of Mewar.

“In the present context, Rana Amar Singh I cenotaph’s platform cleaning, reinserting the damaged structural members and lime work on the dome are in progress but most of the conservation work in Rana Sangram Singh II’s cenotaph is complete,” said Auwa.

The conservation master plan provides guidelines for future intervention and development and also aims at serving as a model in heritage management.

According to Auwa, “The project is specifically focused on skill development in restoration process for students of architecture and craft persons in the region through field training program on site by undertaking complete restoration works of the two cenotaphs.”

Source: TOI