Neglected Charaideo awaits healing touch

Guwahati: While the people of Assam are hopeful of Sivasagar’s Charaideo Maidam getting the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site stamp, the ground reality is that no initiative has been taken by the government so far to meet the parameters set by the world body to get the nod. Ravaged by encroachers and robbers, the site------ bearing some splendid masonry and sculptural work of the medieval period------- needs urgent restoration.Majuli also lost its bid for the tag as it could not meet the UNESCO parameters.
A two-year window period is all that the state government has to put things in order before delegates of UNESCO come for site inspection. A government source pointed out there has been no response from the state government as of now on how to approach and handle the restoration work before the visit. The government has not yet held a meeting with stakeholders like NGOS, government officials and locals to facilitate work.
It is just not Charaideo but entire Sivasagar that needs development in terms of better roads, better connectivity, creation of a buffer zone around the site and developing other monuments in the region. “Time is short and we have to prepare a detailed report about the monument’s status. We also need to focus on its surrounding areas. Once a monument gets a heritage tag, its surrounding areas also change dramatically. So it is important how steps are taken,” said a source.
Charaideo Maidam is believed to be the epicentre of Ahom’s dynastic rule and also the abode of the ancestral gods of the Ahoms. The Maidams (tombs) of the kings and queens could be likened to the ancient Egyptian Pyramids because of their splendid artistry and architecture. The Ahom dynasty and some of the countries in south-east Asia shared a common past. It is felt that if these countries lend their support, there is a fair chance of Charaideo getting the UNESCO nod.
“When it comes to finalizing a site for the coveted status, support from other countries with which it shares a common cultural bond is important. I think Charaideo could generate a lot of interest among its Asian neighbours and garner their support,” added the source.