India to help Egypt in conserving a key tourist destination

India to help Egypt in conserving a key tourist destination





It will give valuable tips and share its expertise on maintaining the Baron Palace, which looks like a Hindu temple



ASI helped Pakistan and Cambodia in preserving the Katsaraj and Ta Prohm Temple complexes

Many countries are requesting ASI expertise in maintaining historical sites and heritage buildings


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NEW DELHI: After Katsaraj and Ta Prohm Temple Complexes in Pakistan and Cambodia, India will now help Egypt in conserving and maintaining one of its key tourist spot — Baron Palace — in Cairo, which looks like a typical Hindu temple.

The Baron Palace, also known as Hindu Villa, is facing decay because of lack of appropriate care by the authorities there.

A three-member team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the premier organisation for archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage in the country, will soon travel to the African nation to assist it in conserving and maintaining the nearly 100-year-old palace. “A team from the ASI will travel to Cairo to help the Egyptian government in conserving the age-old Baron Palace in the capital city,” ASI Director-General Anshu Vaish told PTI.

Built in 1905


The team will provide tips and valuable assistance to their Egyptian counterparts in conserving the palace which was built in 1905, she said.

The team, led by A.K. Sinha, Superintendent Archaeologist, ASI, and Paramanandhan and Sharma as its members, will travel to Cairo in October.

The Baron Palace, which is located in the new city of Heliopolis in Cairo is named after Belgian builder and the resident of Place Baron-General Edouard Louis Joseph Empain.

Baron Empain founded Heliopolis district, 10 km from Cairo, as he bought 6,000 acres of land in desert with one Egyptian pound from Nubar Pasha. Asked about the kind of work the agency will be doing in Egypt, Ms. Vaish said, “As far as Egypt is concerned, we have been asked by them to give ideas and assist them in conserving the Baron palace.”

State of neglect


The palace, which has been neglected for the past 40 years, consists of two floors with additional subterranean floors. The underground floor contains a family mausoleum, a kitchen and the servant’s room. Since visitors are not allowed into the palace, not much is known about its interior today.

ASI, which conserves majority of temples and archaeological sites in the country, has lately started spreading its wings abroad with a number of countries submitting proposals to it requesting its expertise in conserving and maintaining historical places, religious and heritage buildings. “Our team will be in Egypt for a fortnight and give their expertise on conserving and maintaining the palace,” Ms. Vaish said.

The palace hosted King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium during the pre-World War I visit to Egypt.

A team from the ASI had also visited Katasraj Hindu Temple in Pakistan’s Punjab district two-years back and given a detailed report to the government there on how to maintain the temple.

The ASI is currently implementing the conservation and restoration project of Ta Prohm Temple Complex under an Ministry of External Affairs programme with an estimated cost of Rs. 19.57 crore. — PTI

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092956892000.htm