Restoration has begun on the 72-foot-wide marble dome of Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, aiming to restore its original white shine before Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday on December 25.
Full-Scale Cleaning After Nearly a Decade
Decade-long maintenance-free the iconic marble dome of Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi has begun to be restored. It is an intensive cleaning and repair exercise that is being done on the 72-foot-wide structure that forms the centerpiece of the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah so that the structure will shine in its original white glory by the time the 25 December birthday of Jinnah comes around.
This week the 15-day project commenced and it is being said to be one of the most extensive clean-up jobs conducted on the site in years. Although the dome has always been washed before the significant national events, this is not an incidental cleaning of the surface, but rather of ages of weathering, pollution and wear.
The Malagori marble using which the dome and the surrounding structure are covered is drawing attention of engineers and workers. The rock, which was extracted decades ago, has worn down through the course of time because of the hostile climate of Karachi, salty air and recurrent monsoon seasons making the monument look duller than many visitors recall it was several years ago.
Grinding, Polishing and Crack Repairs in Rare Marble
According to Resident Engineer Abdul Aleem Shaikh, the restoration of the natural appearance of the marble is being done through a meticulous, step-by-step process by the restoration team. This involves grinding and polishing the surface; it also involves filling minor cracks and the spaces between separate tiles.
The marble with which the mausoleum is made is not common and is no longer so readily procured. Daily cleaning will only temporarily remove dust, but more profound cleaning will restore the natural colour and lustre of marble. We are doing full-scale grinding and buffing to make the dome appear again in its pure white appearance.
Technicians are applying a specialised chemical compound over the minor cracks and joints. This treatment would cover up to 18 months according to the engineering team by preventing the settlement of moisture and dust to the surface of the stone. The aim is to prevent the further damage and enhance the routine cleaning.
To maintain original texture of the stone, the team is not using heavy machines that will chip or scratch the marble. Instead, workers are counting on precision instruments and regulated electric grinders in order to flatten the surface without losing the historic nature of the monument.
Work Guided by the Original Architectural Vision
In a recent visit of the site, one could find workers heavily polishing the outer dome and the elaborate latticework underneath it. Majority of the maintenance is done according to the vision of an architect Yahya Merchant who constructed Mazar-e-Quaid with built in access routes and walkways such that such kind of preservation could be undertaken safely over the years.
Such design characteristics enable the engineers to access high and inaccessible parts of the building without building obstructing scaffoldings all over the monument. Not only does this accelerate the restoration process but it also makes sure that the visitors are not deprived of seeing any of the mausoleum at the time of work.
Authorities indicate that the main rules of the design have to be observed to preserve the historical originality of the monument. Any form of repair or cleaning is scrutinized to make sure that they do not change the beauty that generations of Pakistani people have attached to the final resting place of Jinnah.
Landscaping, Lighting and Guard Ceremony Preparations
In addition to the dome itself, the wider Mazar-e-Quaid complex too is being prepared in advance in the coming years of the birthday anniversary commemorations. The site extends over an area of about 63 acres and is one of the most frequented national sites in Pakistan with official ceremonies, school trips and family visits being an all-year-round occurrence.
Before 25 December, employees are renovating the grounds, cutting the trees and watering flower beds in order to enhance the overall outlook of the grounds. The maintenance crews are also sweeping and inspecting the lighting systems throughout the mausoleum making sure that the complex is well lit in case of the traditional ceremony of changing the guard and other formal occasions.
It was observed that the stock of trees in the complex has increased remarkably in the past one decade. On a plot of approximately 4,500 trees in 2010, there are currently over 8,000 trees and they are much needed in offering shades to visitors and also to shield the site against the Karachi urban heat and traffic.
Symbol of National Identity and Heritage Care
Mazar-e-Quaid, as an architectural structure, is not only an architectural marvel, but to many Pakistanis it is their source of national identity and their center of recalling the founding leader of the country. The ongoing restoration project can also be viewed as a significant measure towards honoring that heritage by keeping the monument in a good condition and aesthetically pleasing.
The question of the marble being stained or worn has been raised many times by both visitors and residents when they felt that it was an indication of how the country disrespects its own history. The recent attempts to put the dome back to its bright white coating, and the beauty gardens around are thus gaining favor among the citizens who wish the site to have a tribute to the respect which Quaid-e-Azam deserved.
When it comes to the project, the officials infer that having this stage of restoration completed, they expect to adhere more to a regular maintenance routine where such intensive cleaning will not be left unfinished over the course of 10 years. In the meantime, the challenge is to complete the ongoing 15-day operation before the 25 December when thousands of people are anticipated to visit the mausoleum to honor the founder of Pakistan.
