Preservation Challenges for Ancient Temples: Conservation Ethics in India and Mongolia

Conservation ethics for ancient temples must balance authenticity, ritual continuity, and stakeholder engagement to address complex preservation challenges. A comparative study of Ajanta–Ellora (India) and Erdene Zuu Monastery (Mongolia) reveals that while India focuses on managing living, ritual-intensive sites, Mongolia grapples with reconstructing destroyed sites while preserving material authenticity. The research integrates international frameworks like the Venice Charter and Nara Document, alongside local reports and peer-reviewed scholarship, to highlight how physical deterioration, tourism pressures, and historical violence shape preservation decisions. It advocates for culturally sensitive, stakeholder-driven conservation strategies that prioritize ethical considerations and sustainable management of sacred heritage.

Raj, D., & Ray, Dr. R. B. (2026). Preservation Challenges for Ancient Temples: Conservation Ethics in India and Mongolia. ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities, 3(6), 360–369. https://doi.org/10.70558/spijsh.2026.v3.i6.45822