The Sri Mayapur Vedic Temple and Planetarium, Mayapur, West Bengal, India:

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/8554/r2vz5.jpg


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Hi,

The focal point of Indian architecture, like its culture, has always been religious in nature. Just as the Indian economic boom is bringing incredible economic and architectural growth in the secular area, so has Indian religious architecture started once again creating some of the worlds largest, massive, and most intricate religious architecture in world.

In the last 2 years, here are just some of the major religious megaprojects undertaken in India:http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/7035/1bk0.jpg http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3305/3iz7.jpg
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/5376/2nd4.jpg http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/4822/2961300915eeea42eb7ouu4.jpg
^ Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10133932&postcount=336), largest stupa, largest dome, and largest rock cave in the world. [under construction]

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4465/mood06fkl0.jpg http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/438/mandovar10fbf8.jpg http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/8041/elephant04fcf1.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/637/dom05fkd0.jpg http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1107/sahajanand01fil1.jpg http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9593/dom18ftn3.jpg
^ Akshardham Hindu Temple, New Delhi (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=287153), the largest Hindu Temple in the World. [just opened this year]

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/1522/crosssecca3cc2.jpg http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7821/a49tpbv6.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5379/a84grav9.jpg http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8976/parkjj3yd7.jpg
^ Maitreya Buddha Statue and Temple, Kushinagar (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=389451), the world's largest statue (three times the size of the Statue of Liberty.) [construction starting in 2007]

Now, plans are underway in Mayapur, West Bengal, located on the banks of the River Ganga near Navadvip, about 130 km north of Kolkata, to build another massive religious work: the tallest Hindu temple in the world, one of the largest religious buildings ever constructed (the largest being the Ankgor Wat Hindu temple in Cambodia), and one of the largest religious complexes to be built in last 200 years. A temple that, at 35 storeys, and will be just shy of the Pyramids in Giza in height, and without major repair is built to last over a thousand years --the Sri Mayapur Vedic Planetarium and Temple:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7659/1yo5.jpg http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5747/fud0506ejb7.jpg
^ Perspecive and Aerial view of the Sri Mayapur Temple.


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Location: The Pilgrimage Town of Mayapur, West Bengal

Mayapur is a pilgrimage place for various traditions of Hinduism, but is of particular import to followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism as Mayapur is the birthplace of 16th century saint Caitanya Mahaprabhu.The town is heavily centred around the Gaudiya Vaishnava religious tradition, with temples devoted to Radha and Krishna throughout. Since the 1970's Mayapur has also the site of the world headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) amongst a number of other Vaishnava organisations such as the Gaudiya Math.
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2193/14128752832865d0379byq6.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2043/14128752832865d0379b52dhw5.jpg) http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4023/14128753212b1653621btk0.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6818/14128753212b1653621b52dbr7.jpg) http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6641/141301384c3d26c7912bsk0.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7357/141301384c3d26c7912b52dia5.jpg)
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7167/1412875334d7f8c4e03bkq8.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9780/1412875334d7f8c4e03b52esu7.jpg) http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/3337/141287529b6a973705fb52exy7.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7497/141287529b6a973705fb52end1.jpg) http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2775/1413013799ab0f6c9a4bqq0.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5063/1413013799ab0f6c9a4b52egp4.jpg)
^ Sri Mayapur Dham, Mayapur, West Bengal

It is ISKCON which is planning to build a huge "Religious Tourism" project, which includes as its feature the 35-storey tall Sri Mayapur Vedic Planetarium and Temple, built to last over a thousand years. As Hindu temples are built to symbolically represent the cosmos (here's a nice paper on Indian Architecture and Cosmology (http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/Time2.pdf)), the temple includes a Planetarium and learning center, and is to be surrounded by a large Vedic Village, a Village Industrial Park, hotels and accomidations, and house a large Vedic university the Mayapur Centre of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.


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The Temple Complex

Spearheaded by the ABF foundation, run by Alfred Brush Ford, descendent of US automobile pioneer and the Ford founder, Henry Ford, the entire Temple Project is estimated at Rs 600 crore.

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4952/image25ti6.png (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8827/image24im0.png) http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1413/image20ye1.png (http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2804/image19rj9.png)
^ Plan of Temple and first phase of the Vedic Village. (click to enlarge)

Completion of the project would lead to several things, including spin-off benefits for the local economy, improvement in healthcare and education facilities, availability of micro credit to the people. The idea is to ensure that tourist arrivals in Mayapur goes up by "1,000 per cent by 2020". With proper infrastructure in place, Mayapur could figure among the top-20 tourist destinations in India.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/4897/diag1ib7.jpg
^ Scale model of the immediate temple vicinity. Photos taken in Mayapur earlier this year.

A "vedic planetarium" would be built at Mayapur as part of the tourism project. It would also have a Mayapur Centre of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The Ganges would be used as a thoroughfare for ferrying tourists from Sundarbans to Mayapur via Dakshineswar (a place en route which houses the famous Kali temple built by Rani Rashmoni in 18th century Bengal.)

The planetarium's research centre will have scientists from NASA and the ISRO explaining the contributions of Vedic cosmology to the study of today's space science, as well as regular symposia on the subject by astro-physicists. The project aims to make a the project a center of astrophysical and cosmological research.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3358/1jl4.jpg
^ Another view of the model. Note the model of the Mayapur Centre of Gaudiya Vaishnavism university in the second model, behind the temple.

While the 22-acre Vedic planetarium project will be undertaken by Mayapur project society, a charitable body, work for the village industries park will be taken up by Mayapur Village Industries Park Pvt Ltd. The Mayapur Tourism Development Pvt Ltd will be responsible for the tourism hospitality complex.

According to ABF International director John Robert Sims, the 19.9-acre village industries park has been conceived as an integrated area to provide physical infrastructure, world-class engineering and technological inputs, common facilities. Human resource development and platform to all productions units.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/7469/t1vy9.jpg http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/903/t2qc4.jpg

It will have units like local handicrafts, sculpture, terracotta manufacturing and handlooms for cotton, jute and silk products, earthen products, organic food processing zones, fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, chilling plants, cold storages, packaged drinking water including bottling plant, multi-commodity raw material, finished goods and warehouses.

The hospitality tourism complex, spread over 19.2 acre, will have 700 high-end hotel rooms, 2,700 middle-standard rooms and 6,700 lower-end rooms, besides other hospitality facilities.


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Design and architecture of the Mandir

The temple is a modern interpretation of ancient Nagara (Northern) and Kalinga (Orissan) Hindu temple design. It has a consists of three connected domed structures.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6746/t3jv7.jpg

The first, the Exhibition Hall, will include many exhibits, a large planetarium, and a Garuda stambha (a column supporting the carved image of Garuda.) The smallest of the three structures, the Exhibition Hall will be about nine stories high. Construction for the Exhibition hall has already begun.

The second building, the Kirtana Hall, will be approximately eighteen stories tall and features an enormous vyasanafor Sri Prabhupada at its center.

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9943/t5kf3.jpg http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/865/t6ox1.jpg
^ Prerenderings of the inside chamber, showing general layout. The entire struture will be hand-carved in the Hindu temple style.

The third structure, the Shikar, or main temple, will stand about thirty-five stories tall. This building will house a magnificent Deity chamber and a beautiful glass and marble gopuram.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/134/t4mh1.jpg http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8538/t7uw4.jpg
^ Cross section of Kirtana Hall, and a Front Profile view of some of the glasswork


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Size of the Mandir

The size that the temple will be is simply immense. A lot of the renderings don't do justice to the scale of the project. Some comparisons with other major religious landmarks of the world:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5579/tkasiqm1.jpg http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1323/ttajtw0.jpg
^ Compared to the Mahadeva Temple (http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/3897/329147681764359703cb4e9pr7.jpg), Khajuraho (11th Century), and the Taj Mahal (http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4161/360291856d914035869b4eboe7.jpg), Agra (17th Centuruy)

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2224/thaguk0.jpg http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/551/tpaulzn0.jpg
^ Compared to Haga Sophia (http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4218/35271604476e6d779aao4efch0.jpg), Istanbul (6th Century), and St. Pauls Cathedral (http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7010/31313278934004843f2b4f0ys2.jpg), London (17th Century)

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/9738/tpetersm0.jpg http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2690/tpyrnp5.jpg
^ St. Peters (http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/209/2148577422fd70ff0beoip4.jpg), Rome (16th Century), and The Great Pyramid of Giza (http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/8324/335287541d191afbf68b4f4bz2.jpg), Egypt (2400 BC)


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Material Construction of the Temple:

No steel /will be used in the building of the Temple. The entire structure will be built with bricks fired from Ganga silt. Near Mayapur, an ancient Bengali palace built essentially the same way still stands after nine hundred years.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7865/t8fj4.jpg

The Temple will be built five meters above the highest recorded flood level of the Ganges. The entire structure rests atop a poured concrete slab 2.5 meters thick covering roughly four acres. This slab will act as a raft to literally float the building on the muddy Gangetic delta which makes up Mayapur.

The Project is to be completed by 2010-15 timeframe. Preliminary groundwork has begun.


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Cheers,
Jai

Is that project really happening? Haven't heard anything since 2004 (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/02/21/stories/2004022102360300.htm), when Alfred Ford visited along with his Bengali wife.

Would love to see this Temple take shape.

Don't forget the renderings which Jai posted of the Amarnath caves and Mata Vaishno Devi.

Sun, I have a friend who is a Hare Krishna, also an architect, who came back from a visit to Mayapur earlier this month.

He had talked with some of the officials there and says that officials are certain that the temple will eventually be completed, though delayed.

The temple was intitally planned to break ground in 2005, however, due to last minute wrangling with the WB Communist government, plans had been delayed. Though, construction has already begun on the university and some halls.

He says that they are taking advantage of the initial delay to collect more funding in addition to the Ford Foundation's and internal collections. They are hoping to get government funding for the infrasturcture and anemities, and will begin construction on the temple itself as soon as it is secured. He said people expect within in the next 6 months to a year.

He says that the temple project has gone on the backburner for a bit, because the collective energies (and donations) of the community is going toward legal funds to combatting the violent persecuition of ISCKON devotees in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

edit - I found a blog (http://www.prabhupada.org/rama/?p=1510) from a ISKCON offical from Feb this year which states:
Ambarisa dasa gave an impassioned talk about the vision for the Mayapura temple and Vedic Planetarium. He described his strong determination to start construction on the present ISKCON land as soon as is practical with the combined help of the international ISKCON devotees, and those serving in India.So it does seem like it is still underway

Great news Jai.Hope the project goes through

Well, the reason it has been held up is because the Communist government in WB had kept putting up illogical, exceptional (that is, prejudical) and in many cases illegal barriers that need to be jumped over, fought against, or thrown out in the courts.

The reason for this, my friend was told, is because the local WB Communist liege lords are terrified of the growing population and influence of the ISKCON sect, and they don't want to loose political power in coming elections, since the ISKCONites have such a devoted membership, and enjoy the friendship of the local non-ISKCON communities there.

Say what you will about ISKCON (I don't agree with many of their beliefs), but they have a history of being persecuted all over the world, but still maintain and grow, and do a huge amount of charitable works for the destitute.

This temple will probably not come up because of infighting between different factions of ISKCON.

In 2004, there was a lot of hullabaloo of how Mr Bhattacharya declined to meet Mr Ford (on a personal visit) and many BJP flag bearers (read self declared champions of Hinduism) came down heavily on Mr Bhattacharya for the alleged "insult". Though why a state CM should meet someone on a personal visit is beyond my comprehension. The BHAJAPA types cried foul and said that the Orissa CM was more welcoming and so the funding for this Disneyland style temple project would go to Orissa. Serves the arrogant West Bengal CM right was the tone of the criticism. A lot of dirty water has flown down the Ganges since then and nothing much has happened after the grand declarations.

What a project! Ive always wanted to see a mega temple come up - it will attract tourists bigtime, and promote the arts and styles of the past. With this, plus the Delhi temple, plus the pagoda, plus the Buddha statue, plus perhaps that Maharishi megaproject, India would be unrivaled in terms of traditional monuments - if it isnt already.

What a project! Ive always wanted to see a mega temple come up - it will attract tourists bigtime, and promote the arts and styles of the past. With this, plus the Delhi temple, plus the pagoda, plus the Buddha statue, plus perhaps that Maharishi megaproject, India would be unrivaled in terms of traditional monuments - if it isnt already.

I agree. IMO, they should build these things in Varnasi (preferrably on the riverfront), as well as Tirupati. Allahabad/Prayag should also consider building one of these. Of course, each one should look significantly different.

The Mayapur Temple, IMO, shows some elements of futurism in it's design. Perhaps it's an attempt at retro-futurism fused with ancient Indian architecture?

And more importantly, why didn't temple builders go beyond 70m (height of a Varnasi temple that was destroyed by Aurangzeeb) until today? Is there a mathematical reason related to the number 108 (declared holy in India because it's close to the distance between here and the Sun in sun diameters, as well as the distance from here to the moon in moon diameters...)?

What happened to the several pages of discussion we had here? :(

West Bengal India Starts Largest Hindu Temple (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=802)
Despite first impressions, these aren't images from Star Wars but plans for the tallest Hindu Temple in the world.

The Sri Mayapur Vedic Temple and Planetarium will be built in Mayapur in the province of West Bengal, India, and is expected to reach the height equivalent of 35 storey's and making it only a smidgeon shorter than the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Mayapur is already a major religious centre and the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are based here (they are the guys in orange robes you see dancing around airport terminals banging drums).

ISKCON one of the developers of the actual temple building that they have had designed to symbolise the Indian ideas of the cosmos and man's place within the universe. They are joined by partners including the Alfred Brush Ford Foundation who are providing the bulk of the capital, Mayapur Village Industries Park Pvt Ltd who are doing the industry park and Mayapur Tourism Development Pvt Ltd who will be building the tourist section including hotels.

The vast 22 acre project will include a planetarium for tourists and learning centre inside the temple plus a sprawling new campus for Vedic learners outside. The planetarium goes far beyond simply being something like Madame Tussauds however as there will be an attached research base that it is hoped will be staffed with top level space researchers.

The design of the main building draws on traditional Indian temple architecture with the key points of the structure forming a pyramidal shape when you join the lines between them.

It is split into three separate areas that form the domes that can be seen on the imaging. The first two are the exhibition hall that will welcome visitors and provide the planetarium and a Garuda stambha and the Kirtana Hall, about 85 metres tall with a central vyasanafor Sri Prabhupada.

The highlight of it will be a huge space called a Diety Chamber under the central dome that will have an internal height of about 125 metres and house a marble and glass gopuram.

The traditional design goes all the way down to the materials that the building will built out of, the bricks will be made from fired Ganga silt and no steel will be used. The building and surrounding complex will be erected on a concrete slab that will float it above the River Ganges 5 metres above the top flood level.

India has a history proposing rather insane Hindu learning centres like 600 metre tall gold pyramids. Normally these come to nothing but the Sri Mayapur Vedic Temple and Planetarium already has groundwork underway. They hope to have the project finished by 2010.

Guys, I am so glad I started this thread.... within a month of the thread's posting here and on skyscraperpage, (and hence a major jump up the search engine rankings) I've counted 4 new u/c websites by Iskcon organizations about the Mayapur temple...

Hopefully we will get more official details soon

What happened to the several pages of discussion we had here? :(



Jai Bhai, all relevant discussions pertaining to this project are here..:)

Looking forward to the start of the project.

The Sri Mayapur Vedic Temple and Planetarium: a (long) update

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2740/image66ib7pf5.jpg (http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4906/image66ib7.jpg)

Hi all

After I had posted this thread here, Skyscrapernews.com picked it up and wrote an awesome article on the temple (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=802), that architecture critics on the blogosphere picked up and went nuts (in a good way ;)) over. Many of them wondered about the architecture of the temple and many have linked back to this thread. :)

Therefore, I've collected more information on the structure and design of this temple which I hope will go to address many of the questions they (and maybe you guys here) posed on the Mandir's (temple's) architecture. I've tried to explain how the temple relates to traditional Indian temple architecture and its design significance to Hindu philosophy by explaining the history of it's design, and its geometrical-spiritual context as well. Some of my information comes from people who have been privy to its design conception process.

Oh, yeah, and the first post has been edited with better/clearer renderings.


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Evolution of the Design of the Mandir

First design:

The Sri Mayapur Vedic Temple and Planetarium is planned to be one of the most striking examples of Vaishnavite architecture, hence it draws heavily from the architecture of Vaishnavite tradition. In the ten or so years of its conception, it has undergone a design evolution that is a fascinating story itself.

The Vedic Temple design was created to evoke Vedic architecture, the miniature of the cosmos, and be true to the exceptionally large, intricate and ornimentally detailed architecture depicted in art and scripture. The first design of this Temple was to emulate the architecture of Ayodhya, which was the capital city of Ram. The architecture of Ayodhya has been depicted as reflecting the Himalaya mountains in both color (white marble) and and its massive, lofty spires.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7554/sutra2cv9.jpg

While traditional northern Nagara architecture did evoke this image, no temple built has ever come in scale or scope. This original design of the Vedic Temple was designed to address both the image and the size.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3981/1strender01fk3.jpg
^ The first design of the Temple, viewed from the air

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9526/1strender02xq3.jpg
^ A cut-away profile view, showing the inside design

It was designed to be singularly massive, almost 35-40 stories at spire height.

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Second design:

After much debating, the Temple was once again redesigned to reflect the ancient city of Dvaraka, Krishna's capital city, which according to legend was so diverse and beautiful in its architecture that it was said to have inspired the various temple traditions of India:

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8119/sutra1oq8.jpg

Also added to this design was the conception of the Vedic Village that would surround the Temple, where traditional craft and industry would be promoted, allowing villagers in one of the poorest parts of India educational, economic and cultural opportunities, as well as the concept of using the river as it has traditionally been, a highway used to ferry pilgrims back and forth from holy sites. Hence a harbor was also planned.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4161/t1vg6.jpg http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3488/t2dr8.jpg

The views of the redesigned Temple above to a larger scale than the very first rendering, which just consisted of the central island above. While the Temple itself hasn't changed much, the massive courtyard was redesigned to feature gardens and landscaping. Surrounding the main temple would be the Temple complex itself, which would contain exhibition centers, schools, monestaries and the like. The Vedic Village would surround this.

Just like the popular conception of Dvaraka encompassing north, south, central, east and west Indian temple architecture, this redesign is a very unique melding of all styles. The main tower iself is representative of the east Indian Bengali/Assamese architecture in its body, while the spire at top is from Orissan styles. The Temple's podium and main building design is based on traditional north and west Indian architecture, while western Rajasthani and Kashmiri inspired havelis (halls) would ring the building. The plan of the Temple compound evokes Deccan and coastal Southern traditions, while the Gopurams (pyramidal gates) are very much in the Southern tradition.

All in all, it was a fascinating plan, and, had it been the final plan, would by far be the largest and most comprehensive "blended" architecture temple design. I personally liked this plan the best. Unfortunately, detailed renderings of it were never made, as it hadn't gone much past the conception stage when it was changed once again.

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Third design:

In order to both portray the spirit of Gaudiya Vaishnava culture, the Temple was redesigned again to best portray the tradition's roots in Gura Desh, which comprises the region of Bengal, Orissa and Bihar.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1447/tbengali1co3.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5035/bengaliqq9.jpg) http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5157/tbengali2ti5.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1811/bengali2ek7.jpg)
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2442/tbengali4wk6.jpg (http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4016/bengali1ve9.jpg) http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7954/tbengali3zh9.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6008/bengali3qx8.jpg)
^ Examples of traditional Bengali Temple Architecture (http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/wb/wbtemps.htm). (Click thumbnails for full-size images)

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3416/tjaggannathjy1.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7453/jaggannatheq9.jpg) http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3672/tpuriyc8.jpg (http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6032/purikd9.jpg)
^ Examples of traditional Orissan Temple Architecture (http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Archit/Oriya.html)(Click thumbnails for full-size images)

This third design of the Vedic Temple see a fusion of mainly Bengali but also Orissan architectural styles.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6607/image01ez4.jpg

Notice how the main structure of the third design has the distinctive 'hive' like appearance of Bengali temples. Note also the Chajjas or curved arching roof edges, as a prominent feature. Like the Bengali tempes, this design would be made of an extremely strong clay and terracotta brick.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3193/image02rs2.jpg

The main Shikarha, or the dome, is heavily influenced by Orissan architecture, especially the spire.

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Final design:

The fourth and final design change came about around 2000. As the project really started to pick up steam, and as project objectives were better realized, the Temple underwent a radical (especially for temples) design change.

It was to not only be grounded in the traditional architecture of Gura Desham, but it was to be an modern elaboaration on this style that would eschew Western, Islamic and Buddhist styles, and attempt to make a futuristic Hindu style of temple architecture.

This goal of modernizing Bengali architecture is not the first time ISKCON has attempted to revolutionize modern Temple architecture. They are indeed very good at thinking out of the box when it comes to futurizing ancient styles. The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Bengaluru (Bangalore), Karnataka state is a recently completed temple that is a modern take on traditional Dravidian architecture, incorporating both ancient and modern design and materials.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4909/tbanga1of4.jpg (http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9164/banga1sx7.jpg) http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3816/tbanga2dg7.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4341/banga2ju0.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9652/tbanga4eg5.jpg (http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9292/banga4ni4.jpg) http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5294/tbanga3ed0.jpg (http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3370/banga3zu9.jpg)
^ The retro-futuristic Sri Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Temple (http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Archit/Oriya.html) in Bengaluru (Bangalore). (Click thumbnails for full-size images)

To say the least, a rather beautiful and successful interpretation, in my opinion.

Taking advantage of revolutions in artistic cast glass design, the architects of the Vedic Temple posed the following question: how could they take advantage of modern glass detail work in the modernation of the traditional terracotta geometric designs of Bengali temples...

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2456/tterromo6.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8263/135806397582d0c66a6996api8.jpg)
^ Example of Bengali Temple terracotta bricks (http://members.tripod.com/~SaumyaGanguly/) that make up the facade of Bengali temples.(Click thumbnails for full-size image)

...and translate that into cast glass sculptures that will crown the Sikharas? The answer is something that is a building that is at once incredibly gorgeous, steeped in tradition, and also a revolution in materials design.

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6851/templemodelqw9.jpg

Now that is how the design of the Temple came to be. Below, I'll temple's layout in more detail.


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Geometry and Layout of the Vedic Mandir

External Form:

In Hindu architecture, the principles on which the Temple is designed, especially in terms of sacred geometry, remain fixed, however, the external form and embellishment can be designed freely

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9696/image27ps4.jpg
^ Illustration of the side elevation, with indication of guiding geometry.

After two years of study of Bengali and Orissan temples, the Vedic Temple had been re-designed to grow more naturally from the stoil, and better reflect the spiritual tradition of Bengal. The most important inclusion is the "Bengali Arch", which developed from the simple bamboo temples of the villages. This arch is found in many ancient stone temples throughout the region.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1562/image11ob0.jpg

-=----=---=--

Sacred Geometry:

In Hindu philosophy, geometry is seen to exist everywhere in creation: its order underlies structure of all things from molecules to galaxies. As such, Geometry is symbolized as a sacred language -- normally hidden in the Lord’s own design work of the natural world.

The ancient Vedic science of Vastu Shastra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vastu), the canon of ancient codes of town planning and architecture that had been transmuted to China via Buddhism and developed in their own tradition of "Feng shui," is concerned with harmonizing the building with the natural geometric laws of the Universe. A temple constructed according to Vastu, and related Vedic sciences, it is said, will enhance the devotional experience of the pilgrim.

The Mayapur Vedic Temple is planned as both a place of worship as well as a Vedic Planetarium that will teach people ancient traditions as well as modern astrophysics, and how it relates to the Hindu worldview. As such, many elements of Sacred Geometry has been incorporated within the Temple.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5884/image31zk8.jpg
^ An overlay of the floor plan of the Temple complex on a field ion micgograph of metallic atoms.

The floorplan of the Temple is based on the Vastu Purusha Mandala grid. The square in the centre of the mandala is presided over by Brahma. Encircling it are a number of squares called ‘padas’, or seats presided over by lesser deities, who form a hierarchy. Around it in the boarder of the mandala are 32 divinities that preside there.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6610/image32jk4.jpg
^ Pursha Mandala and the floor plan

It had already been known Indian astronomers long before Nicolaus Copernicus that there are 9 major planetary bodies that orbit the Sun. This fact plays a major role in traditional Hindu theologic-geometic concepts. In Vastu Purusha Mandala design, the eight cardinal/diagonal directions are presided over by the eight planets (the 9th one being Earth.)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8927/image34vs8.jpg

In this way, the mandala symbolically represents sacred space and the cyclic movement of time. With these affinities, this mandala embodies an all-inclusive, contained image of the ordered cosmos and is a potent architectural mechanism that provides a blueprint for the building.

-=----=---=--

Scale

The objective height for the Temple's design was set by Srila Prabhupada for a temple of ‘about thirty stories’, whilst keeping beauty, buildability and costs in mind. The criteria for scale is based, for example, on the large proportions and number of the main deities, the magnitude of the structure required to fulfil the 1000 year longevity brief and the floor area required to hold the large number of pilgrims. The Temple height and proportions of the structure are rooted so many sacred geometries, scales, and mandalas to list here.

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/7714/image14wv9.jpg

-----==--=--==-----

Heavenly Harmonies

Any temple or sacred structure is traditionally considered as a bridge between heaven and earth. A formula that links the two is found in number, geometry and harmony which is encoded in the cosmology of the fixed stars and the moving planets. The Vedic Temple, like most Indian temples, incorporates this.

Pole Star Alignment

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/7165/image38jw5.jpg

An example of the Temple as a planetarium is its alignment with the Pole Star. The Pole Star is the only stationary point in the sky, and everything else revolves around it, both day and night. The Pole Star sits at 23.5 degrees above the horizon, due North of the Temple. The Temple is designed so that when one stands at the South entrance and visually lines up the top of the gateway with the top of the kailasa upon the central sikhara, one will locate the Pole Star.

Spring and Autumn Equinoxes

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4535/image39ed9.jpg

March 21 and September 21 are known as the Spring Equinox and the Autumn Equinox respectively. They are singularly important days in the year since the Sun rises exactly opposite the East everywhere on Earth and sets exactly in the West. Also, everywhere on Earth experiences 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night, thus the equinoxes are days of perfect balance and harmony.

The alignment of the Temple to the four directions means that its relationship with the Sun will be strengthened on these two days each year, with the Sunrise occurring directly through the East Gate, falling at the feet of Sri Sri Radha Madhava sanctum sanctorum

-=----=---=--

Vedic Temple as a Planetarium

The objective of this Adbhuta Mandira is the exposition of the Vedic cosmology. This theme is present in every stage and aspect of the design. The very proportions and geometry of the Temple, both externally and internally, are reflections of the cosmic design.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/8270/image10cm2.jpg

Within the Temple, each space will house artistic exhibits. A variety of ideas have been developed which will work harmoniously with the interior spaces.

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7151/image42ak6.jpg


-----==--=--==-----

Temple Construction Phases

The Temple is designed from the outset to be easily, cheaply and ascetically built in modular phases from the foundation to the Shikara. According to the project's Managing Director, Abhirama Dasa, the temple itself can be completed and opened for tours within six years and cost less than $20m to build.

The very basic groundwork prep on the Temple has begun, but as of yet construction of the Temple elf has not started. The the Temple was expected to be completed by 2010, though due to very heated last minute politcal wrangling with the West Bengal state government (an elected communist government.. go figure) who, fearful of losing political power at the draw this project will have, threw up a slew of insane roadblocks that do not have much legal foundation but will take time in overcoming. As such I personally don't see it finishing until the 2013 at the least, though preliminary groundwork and site prep has begun. One good thing about the delay is that it allows more time and money to be channeled into this project.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2776/image21et2.jpg
^ Illustration of the three main phases of construction. Starting with the Planetarium/Entrance building in the front, followed by Kirtan Hall and Shikara.

The phase construction method allows the Temple to be used as a sacred structure from whence the first building is completed. The first phase

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3451/image24jm9.jpg
^ Another view of the complex, with the Planetarium/Entrance building in the foreground

Just to again put the renderings in scale, to see how large the Temple is, check out how freaking tiny the pilgrims approaching in the Temple are in the picture above

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6233/image47fs6.jpg
^ The temple in entierty. The dots are people. ;)


-----==--=--==-----

Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and Vedic Village

The Vedic Temple is just the crowning glory of the project, which also includes the establishment of the Vedic Village. The village is to be designed in three phases, phase one which will be developed concurrent to temple construction.

There are two major roads in the Vedic Village, Chaitanya Avenue, which leads to the main enterence, and Prabhupada Avenue, behind the temple which will lead to the Vedic University and Prabhupada's Samadhi Mandir. Both roads and the village itself will be extensively landscaped.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9966/image59yl0.jpg
^ Model of first phase of Vedic Village in relation to the temple. Existing buildings are yellow. Phases two and three wlil fill in the open areas.

The village will see extensive dyking and drainage systems carefully integrated into the master plan. This area of Bengal is among the wettest spots on Earth, and has historically been prone to flooding.

An earthen dyke will be built around the perimeter of the property, which will protect the whole township from floods. It will appear as a raised grassy area, reinforced on the outer side with rocks. A strengthened retaining wall on the Ganga side of the property will for flood protection, so that existing buildings can be retained intact.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7972/image3ki0.jpg
^ A section through the dyke, as planned for the Taranapur Road side of the area

Roads along the top of the dykes, with ramps at various points for access. Landscaping and tree planting will be used to screen all traffic that is on the dyke from the residential areas. To drain internal water, 25 percent of the total area will be kept open for holding ponds, to contain water in times of high rainfall. This water will be pumped out from two or three points.

-=----=---=--

Architecture in Vedic Village

The architects studied in great detail the existing architectural styles in Mayapur, and Navadwipa district, as well as buildings and architectural elements in Kolkata (Calcutta.) The temple architects are designing buildings on in the immediate temple vicinity in some detail, and these designs, and of course the buildings themselves, will serve as an example which the developers want future developers to follow.

The architectual goal for the township design is for it to have discernible regional character, and the seamless integration of this project into the Bengali landscape. Keeping in mind that the construction of this temple will lead to the rapid urbanization of the surrounding area, development and architectural guidelines for the public and private zones throughout Mayapur will be written up so that the ambience and overall character remain consistent and attractive.

These guidelines will not be rigid, but will be open to a certain amount of interpretation, so that variety is not excluded. In this way, it is planed that the entire development will look visually coherent and appropriate to the location, and make for a harmonius and inspiring experience, especially in the public areas around the temple.

-=----=---=--

Prabhupada Avenue

Prabhupada Avenue runs from the Samadhi down to the site of the new temple. It is planned as a garden area, with a quiet and peaceful mood.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3209/image50uq1.jpg

The buildings on either side of the Avenue will house exhibition halls, perminant party residences, public offices and a few shops. The Avenue will be pedestrian only with trees and areas of grass. It will be an area in which to linger and to relax.

-=----=---=--

Chaitanya Avenue

The main entrance for pilgrims and all vehicles will be from Chaitanya Avenue, to the North of the township. This Avenue aligns to and re-inforces the spiritual axis that connects Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura's house, via the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, to Sri Yoga Pitha.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6795/image53ct8.jpg

The buildings on both sides of the Avenue have shops on the ground floor, which will create a lively environment. The upper floors are planned for pilgrim hospitality. In the centre of the Avenue, there will be a large open space, where artists and artisans will be working.


----------==-----=----==-----------

Conclusion *phew*

Sorry for the long post guys, but I hope you all enjoyed peruzing it as much as I did writing/researching it! :)

Cheers,
Jai

Wow.

I must say though - I wish they had kept some elements from the earlier designs, such as the gopura.

has the construction started or close to starting any time soon????

^^^ probably not.

Now now, no need to immediately resort to the curious Indian trait of self flagellation right off the bat.

While the temple's constuction has not started, it is fully expected to commence within the next couple years in earnest. One major reason it hasn't started this year was ISKCON's devoting all its supplementary capital and, more to the point, its legal resources in combatting the persecution of Hindus in Russia and Kazakhistan, which has turned into a legal battlefield there.

The defense of the freedom of religion is rightfully seen as a more urgent matter than material matters such as temple building. As such, until the situation is resolved, expect to see no official movement on the Vedic Temple front, at least for a couple years.

However, the projects designers are still working, and are continually redesigning for the better and cheaper this project. It very well may turn out to be another design change and an even cooler design when it gets built.

For more information on the situation in Russia:
Britain backs Russian Hindus' right to religion (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1391009.cms)

I know this dosent have anything to do with their problems in Russia and the CIS, but while evangelists consider it a right, I dont think ISKCON should engage in proselytism.

Ideally, when there's a meeting of the minds, there is nothing wrong with proselytism. It is how religious knowlege is spread, and how new religious thought and philosophy emerges.

However, when religious groups start becoming exclusivist ('my path is the only/right path and you're wrong'), when religious people appeal to viscera instead of reason and belittle other traditions, or when they take advantage of someones poverty, lack of education, or social condition and not be honest and frank about religious discourse, that is when proselytism is wrong.

Just compare how Buddha initially spread the dhamma and grew the sangh compared to how many day sects, especially Hinayana ones have morphed his universal message into an exclusivist, jealous path. There are such examples in every religious tradition. However, there are equally as many counter examples (like Tibetan Vajrayana, or Vipassana), especially in Dharmic religions that generally have a much more tolerant worldview.

I've met ISKCONites who lean toward both ends. The great mass of the rank and file in my experience call themselves Hindus, and are like other Hindus, with a tolerant, accepting mindset, but who have found an ishta devata and tradition. However, many high ranking people I've met lean toward chauvinism, disown and disrepute other religious schools and paths and I've even heard claim that ISKCON is completely "divorced" from Hinduism(!)

Regardless, their charity is very non-denominational, and their temples are pillars of religious tolerance, and are frequented by many devotees, ISKCON or not

Just my 2 cents

Cheers,
Jai

Ideally, when there's a meeting of the minds, there is nothing wrong with proselytism. It is how religious knowlege is spread, and how new religious thought and philosophy emerges.

However, when religious groups start becoming exclusivist ('my path is the only/right path and you're wrong'), when religious people appeal to viscera instead of reason and belittle other traditions, or when they take advantage of someones poverty, lack of education, or social condition and not be honest and frank about religious discourse, that is when proselytism is wrong.

Just compare how Buddha initially spread the dhamma and grew the sangh compared to how many day sects, especially Hinayana ones have morphed his universal message into an exclusivist, jealous path. There are such examples in every religious tradition. However, there are equally as many counter examples (like Tibetan Vajrayana, or Vipassana), especially in Dharmic religions that generally have a much more tolerant worldview.

I've met ISKCONites who lean toward both ends. The great mass of the rank and file in my experience call themselves Hindus, and are like other Hindus, with a tolerant, accepting mindset, but who have found an ishta devata and tradition. However, many high ranking people I've met lean toward chauvinism, disown and disrepute other religious schools and paths and I've even heard claim that ISKCON is completely "divorced" from Hinduism(!)

Regardless, their charity is very non-denominational, and their temples are pillars of religious tolerance, and are frequented by many devotees, ISKCON or not

Just my 2 cents

Cheers,
Jai

They are a good orginisation in the sense that (like Swaminarayan) they are a great charity and builder of temples. But that claim that they are 'divorced from Hinduism' - I understand where it comes from - some people accuse them of having turned Viashnavite tradition into a prophetic faith, where Krishna has become Christ and Rama has become Moses - and on the other side of the coin, Hindus who do not mind the idea of doing this, object because they place so much devotional value on the Gita, that the intellectual study of the Vedas and Upanishads, central to Hinduism (and reformist movements like Brahmo Samaj that reject the authority of all other texts), suffers. The reason for this observation is that while Hindu texts are meant to be non-dogmatic sources of philosophical metaphor, they view the Gita as cannon, like a 'gospel'. Im not sure anyone should be introduced to Hinduism - they should find it through free choice - and ISKCON are the only ones who proselytise.

Of course, this is nothing so vulgar as a 'sectarian' division, but mearly a philisophical position - as im not sure a 'sectarian' division is even possible in a religion where sects only consist of different equally respected viewpoints. Ive never really been a big fan of the whole bhakti/devotional movement - it is a populist movement that turns brahman into an object of devotion rather than intellectual stimulus, even if surrender and devotion is a powerfull 'feeling'.

well, yes, i agree with the point that many Hindus, atleast in the recent past an present, don't really agree with the ISKCONite view anymore. surprisingly, that detachment is more so apparent in the Sri Vaishnavite tradition than in any others. ISKCON's ideas like Krishna is the original and supreme GODHEAD and from him only Vishnu and Narayana took form and stuff like that really goes against the established Vedic view, but still many ppl respect ISKCON for their charity and generosity. i am saying this by my own personal experience. they provide free food and space if you want to conduct any Hindu religious functions or anything like that. many "Hindu Cultural Centres" have propped up all over America which charge huge amounts if you want to conduct religious activities there in special halls or sabhas. ISKCON is probably the only one which even goes to the extent of saying, "you can happily do your program, and we will also provide you with the food."

well, yes, i agree with the point that many Hindus, atleast in the recent past an present, don't really agree with the ISKCONite view anymore. surprisingly, that detachment is more so apparent in the Sri Vaishnavite tradition than in any others. ISKCON's ideas like Krishna is the original and supreme GODHEAD and from him only Vishnu and Narayana took form and stuff like that really goes against the established Vedic view, but still many ppl respect ISKCON for their charity and generosity. i am saying this by my own personal experience. they provide free food and space if you want to conduct any Hindu religious functions or anything like that. many "Hindu Cultural Centres" have propped up all over America which charge huge amounts if you want to conduct religious activities there in special halls or sabhas. ISKCON is probably the only one which even goes to the extent of saying, "you can happily do your program, and we will also provide you with the food."

Yes, I agree. I belonging to the southern vaishnavite tradition had been in the ISKCON fold for few months. I couldnt take the amount of Krsna evangelisation that happened inside. that too it simply went against all the accepted norms of Vishnu and the dasa (10) avatarams and Krsna being one among them. Well accepted that Krishna is probably the most colourful and dynamic avatars of Vishnu- but to go to the extent that he had millions & millions of wives..hmm..couldnt take it. Hinduism firmly believes in oness of the Supreme, and all the Godly forms being mere manifestations. Probably one might argue that ISKCON says the same thing albeit that only one being Krsna. anyways, have met many of these groups in differnt cities of the world. I have enjoyed some very good food thanks to them.

Guys, I've gotten in touch with someone who will soon provide some more information on the current workings of this project as soon as he has the time. Watch this space :)

^^ Shouldn't it be the time now to divulge some more info. .....

They are a good orginisation in the sense that (like Swaminarayan) they are a great charity and builder of temples. But that claim that they are 'divorced from Hinduism' - I understand where it comes from - some people accuse them of having turned Viashnavite tradition into a prophetic faith, where Krishna has become Christ and Rama has become Moses - and on the other side of the coin, Hindus who do not mind the idea of doing this, object because they place so much devotional value on the Gita, that the intellectual study of the Vedas and Upanishads, central to Hinduism (and reformist movements like Brahmo Samaj that reject the authority of all other texts), suffers. The reason for this observation is that while Hindu texts are meant to be non-dogmatic sources of philosophical metaphor, they view the Gita as cannon, like a 'gospel'. Im not sure anyone should be introduced to Hinduism - they should find it through free choice - and ISKCON are the only ones who proselytise.

Of course, this is nothing so vulgar as a 'sectarian' division, but mearly a philisophical position - as im not sure a 'sectarian' division is even possible in a religion where sects only consist of different equally respected viewpoints. Ive never really been a big fan of the whole bhakti/devotional movement - it is a populist movement that turns brahman into an object of devotion rather than intellectual stimulus, even if surrender and devotion is a powerfull 'feeling'.



good points there Vastu. the feeling of "disconnect" is very prevalent among even Vaishnavite non-Iskconite hindus, b/c of their treatment of the Vedas, Puranas (except for Brahmavaivarthas puranam), and Upanishads as lowly knowledge and not to be on par with Geeta. this actually turns a lot of Vaishnavites away from ISKCON; now let alone non-Vaishnavite Hindus.

coming to the Bhakthi movement, every Hindu should be grateful to Vaishnavite acharyas like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (in the North) and Sri Ramanujacharya (in the South) for their services in revamping the highly casteist orders that existed before them, and making devotion and bhakthi the central points of religious life and thus making Hinduism available even to the downtrodden and the lower caste ppl of the their particular times. but their true contribution lies in the fact that such practices were passed down generations after them and are continued to this day. i have no doubt in saying that if not for such efforts, many more ppl would have left Hinduism ever since missionaries started reaching India.

Thats true - populism is a good defense again proselytisation - but I always respect intellectual traditions more than populism - for example, the bhakti movement in some parts of India, turned Kali, a primal aspect of the goddess that bears so much philosophical relevance, into a 'motherly figure', clothed in a sari, and with a beneviolent 'queen victoria' smile - I cant stand this kinda of stuff. Is it worth preserving a tradition, if the tradition becomes exactly like its competitor? Thats why I prefer Vedanta, Tantra, and other such systems to ISKCON, the Bhakti movement, and even aspects of the reform movements like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj. The aspects of Hinduism I enjoy are those based within the Vedas, Upanishads and techings of the Buddha, Mahavira and Adi Shankara, which are non-dogmatic (even theistically agnostic), and which dont treat the epics, puranas, manu laws, and gita as some kinda gospel, when they were never intended as such.

Hi any uodates on this project ?
This is an awesome structure, hope it sees the end of the tunnel.

Also there were talks about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Vedic Tower, but you dont get to hear about it at all now...

It seems that this temple may have a twin in New York State!

American architect wants to construct Indian Vedic Centre (http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/36513/2)
Tuesday July 24, 09:13 AM

New York, July 24 (IANS) An American architect who has lived in India for over 30 years wants to build a Indian Vedic Center similar to one being constructed more than 100 km from Kolkata. Alfred J. Valerio wants to start work in December on an ambitious $40-million project, which he described as 'a little smaller than the Vatican', in the Southern Tier area of New York State.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON, is building the temple of the Vedic Planetarium on the banks of the Ganges near Navadvip, north of Kolkata. Once completed, the 35-storey complex will be one of the largest religious buildings. The project was made possible by a $40-million contribution by Alfred Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford and heir to the Ford Motors legacy.

Now Valerio, 67, is seeking space and support for a similar cultural project in New York to spread Indian Vedic philosophy. 'I want to do a duplicate here,' Valerio said. 'It will be one of the biggest art projects in history. It would be a cultural, healing, educational and artistic centre.'

The entire project would require 400-500 acres of land, which Valerio hopes to persuade New York State to donate, stargazettenews.com reported.

As Valerio envisions the project, it would contain a museum, a dairy farm, an art museum and a housing development for retirees. It would underwrite scholarships, provide support for representational art, serve free vegetarian meals and offer free education.

'It has to be near a river and have water in the northeast corner running west to east,' he said.

The centre would have gardens, greenhouses and an indoor swimming pool too.

'If I can get a commitment for state land, I'll do a whole business plan on it,' Valerio said. 'It would employ a lot of people, and it would be one of the biggest tourist attractions in New York State.'

Why an Indian cultural centre in an area that has a small Indian population compared with some major cities?

'I'd like to have it in a place where you would not expect it,' Valerio said.

'India has the greatest culture the world knows,' he said. 'This would show the Vedic understanding of all aspects of life and spread the Vedic philosophy.'

sweet. Fortunately there's enough Hinduism to go around.

What's the current status of this temple?

Guys, I've gotten in touch with someone who will soon provide some more information on the current workings of this project as soon as he has the time. Watch this space :)

Have u gotten in touch???

Yes, I have gotten in touch, though only sporadically and only several months ago. Fundraising is still ongoing. There are worrying rumours that the design has been changed completely.

However I do have some more interesting information about it.

First, some more renderings:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4648/image2og3.jpg

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/9864/image3dj0.jpg

I've found more photos of the Second Proposed Design for the Sri Mayapur Temple and surrounding Vedic Village. I'll quote the relevant bit from my original post:
Second design:

After much debating, the Temple was once again redesigned to reflect the ancient city of Dvaraka, Krishna's capital city, which according to legend was so diverse and beautiful in its architecture that it was said to have inspired the various temple traditions of India:

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8119/sutra1oq8.jpg

Also added to this design was the conception of the Vedic Village that would surround the Temple, where traditional craft and industry would be promoted, allowing villagers in one of the poorest parts of India educational, economic and cultural opportunities, as well as the concept of using the river as it has traditionally been, a highway used to ferry pilgrims back and forth from holy sites. Hence a harbor was also planned.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4161/t1vg6.jpg http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3488/t2dr8.jpg

The views of the redesigned Temple above to a larger scale than the very first rendering, which just consisted of the central island above. While the Temple itself hasn't changed much, the massive courtyard was redesigned to feature gardens and landscaping. Surrounding the main temple would be the Temple complex itself, which would contain exhibition centers, schools, monestaries and the like. The Vedic Village would surround this.

Just like the popular conception of Dvaraka encompassing north, south, central, east and west Indian temple architecture, this redesign is a very unique melding of all styles. The main tower iself is representative of the east Indian Bengali/Assamese architecture in its body, while the spire at top is from Orissan styles. The Temple's podium and main building design is based on traditional north and west Indian architecture, while western Rajasthani and Kashmiri inspired havelis (halls) would ring the building. The plan of the Temple compound evokes Deccan and coastal Southern traditions, while the Gopurams (pyramidal gates) are very much in the Southern tradition.

All in all, it was a fascinating plan, and, had it been the final plan, would by far be the largest and most comprehensive "blended" architecture temple design. I personally liked this plan the best. Unfortunately, detailed renderings of it were never made, as it hadn't gone much past the conception stage when it was changed once again.

-=----=---=--The overall design of the Temple at this stage was done by Architect Ganesh Ramachandran, at the Mayapur Master Plan office in Bangalore:

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6436/01vi0.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2935/05rs8.jpg
^ From the above two drawings, it is evident that that the Vedic City master plan is inspired by the sprawling temple cities of South India, with its layout, walled compounds, and water gardens

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6627/02tr7.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3254/03ft4.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/848/04vo0.jpg
^ You can clearly see the fusion of Indian architectural styles in this temple proposal. The central, north Indian inspired main temple, and the south Indian inspired Gopurams (pyramidal temple gate towers) ringing outer walls


Cheers,
Jai

That is just beautiful. I love the fusion of Hindu styles and the whole complex idea. Must visit once its done!

^^ Ethereal - may this come into being at the earliest - may it bring forth the divine beauty of Ayodhya and Dwaraka during Lord Rama's and Sri Krishna's time on earth in the immediately preceeding Treta and Dvapara Yuga...And may this happen through it's architectute, materials used , the people the run it and live in it amongst other things...

Pray that there is solid work being done on this project and that it fructifies as soon as possible...- Also hope they use the universal fusion of hindu styles with other retro-futuristic styles available to us through the latest eco-harmonious technology...

This can take Sanatana Dharma - Vedic way of life (a harmonious, sustainable and advanced way of living) to the future and inspire not just hindus but non-hindus as well to a more spiritual way of life which includes human development in the body, mind and spiritual dimensions of being...

After all, the spiritual Sanatana Dharma from which the 'religion' Hindu was named, is a way of life that is universal and applicable to everyone be they Hindus or non-Hindus - this was practiced in Bharath for aeons - the proof of the pudding is the sheer unparalled variety of people/ cultures/languages we have in our amazing land...which accepted people from all over to settle down here and practice their own faiths in mutual respect and harmony...

Pray that the issues in Russia etc. get resolved soon... Would be nice to see some more info on this if available...

i don't like the design the glass thing looks outdated!!!!!!!!:ohno::ohno:

Well I guess time will tell all what it eventually turns out to look like.

Looking forward to updates on this project...

Latest status: there's a new design being proposed but most ISKCON members hate it. There's a big debate in their community right now on what is the best design to go ahead with, hence the final design is still up in the air right now

Any updates? :)

This project is fascinating - the upliftment of the impovrished, promotion of traditional crafts, etc.

The project has been completely redesigned. From my communications with them, thanks to the publicity this design is getting through the ISB, skyscrapercity and the other sites my description was picked up by, there are a lot of discussion within the ISKCON community about whether the new design is a good thing.

I've refrained on commenting or detailing the new design, because I think, architecturally, it is a step backwards. However, it is not my place to argue so. I will let their sangha have that discussion, and I will eventually report on the result.

The project has been completely redesigned. From my communications with them, thanks to the publicity this design is getting through the ISB, skyscrapercity and the other sites my description was picked up by, there are a lot of discussion within the ISKCON community about whether the new design is a good thing.

I've refrained on commenting or detailing the new design, because I think, architecturally, it is a step backwards. However, it is not my place to argue so. I will let their sangha have that discussion, and I will eventually report on the result.

Thanks man - I quite liked their older design too - I really hope that this temple, plus the Maitreya Buddha, plus the Global Vippasana Pagoda, end up being well executed - they will be signature buildings for India in future.

A extensive coverage on this temple can be found at these two links.

http://indianskyscraperblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/the-temple-of-vedic-planetarium-mayapur-india-the-worlds-tallest-hindu-temple-35-storeys-part-1/

http://indianskyscraperblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/the-temple-of-vedic-planetarium-mayapur-india-the-world%e2%80%99s-tallest-hindu-temple-35-storeys-part-2/

skganji, I write that blog, compiled from my threads in this forum ;)

kolkatausa, huh? I detailed the design evolution in the first post..

To be honest I like the symetrical designs better - they kinda resemble Angkor Watt.

Also I like how they blend different styles - combining large gopura with a large central spire hasnt been done ever to my knolwedge - which is why I would have liked to see that.

I hope they keep elements of the 'dwarka' design at least - such as the harbour.

Aireal view of Angkor Wat:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Angkor-Wat-from-the-air.JPG/800px-Angkor-Wat-from-the-air.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Awatplan04colours.png/400px-Awatplan04colours.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Angkor-wat-central.jpg/670px-Angkor-wat-central.jpg

I would love a temple like this to be built, since right now, India has no similar ones.

The central spires could be blended with various Indian ones - and large gopura could be added:

http://im.videosearch.rediff.com/thumbImage/videoImages/videoImages1/tamilnadutourism/rdhash557/madurai.jpg

But in a way that seems tasteful, and not over-the-top of course :)

Aside from that, the idea of a surrounding temple complex, promoting traditional crafts, helping the poor, etc, is the most important thing.

Ankor is as you can imagine, even better in real life.

There all great , thanks to your name V.
It works, it realy does.

Is this project dead?

Guess so.

Guess so.

The project is not dead. Infact, they are going to do Bhumi Pooja on Feb 18. They just received governmental clearances. Also, they have changed the design and the design is fully finalized . The final design closely resembles the Capitol Hill as per the wishes of the ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada.
A documentary is now available on how the temple will look.

Resembles Capitol Hill? Oh dear god.

Rite folks. Time to close and try to forget this thread. Our beloved Swami Prabhupadaji has set his mind on a hideous (Understatement) gold-plated version of the US Capitol. It will be a 30 story high wart on the face of mother India.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2245/tvpimage.jpg

Rite folks. Time to close this thread. Our beloved Swami Prabhupadaji has set his mind on a hideous (Understatement) gold-plated version of the US Capitol.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2245/tvpimage.jpg

Yes, our beloved Srila Prabhupada's plan has finally succeeded.
Here is the youtube link for this temple.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GpXIADg2lA

My god. What a crying shame. I'll try to pretend that neither this thread nor that hideous replica of the Capitol ever existed.

My god. What a crying shame. I'll try to pretend that neither this thread nor that hideous replica of the Capitol ever existed.

Marathaman,don't get me wrong. They have completely changed the dome to look like a Hindu temple. The reason for selecting this dome structure could be for stability reasons. I am not a civil engineer but this is just my guess.
They wanted this temple to last for atleast 1000 years.

This is the most hideous thing I have seen in a long time. Apart from being completely derivative, its ridiculous dome makes it look like a cheap version of St. Paul's in London. I'm certainly not buying the structural stability part either. They had a fantastic opportunity to outdo the Akshardham people, but they've gone ahead and made a gigantic blunder.

This is the most hideous thing I have seen in a long time. Apart from being completely derivative, its ridiculous dome makes it look like a cheap version of St. Paul's in London. I'm certainly not buying the structural stability part either. They had a fantastic opportunity to outdo the Akshardham people, but they've gone ahead and made a gigantic blunder.

I think this is your personal opinion. The project chariman is Amabarisa das ( Alfred ford) a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Also, they have been studying various models and finally selected it as per the visionary advice of Srila Prabhupada. Let us accept the way it is instead of criticizing it.

Hey, I have no influence over its design so my "accepting it" is not going to make any difference. I think its hideous and yes, that's my opinion, and I never claimed anything more than that.

This is their website for those interested -> http://tovp.org

Their media gallery page is laden with site prep images, renders and videos -> http://tovp.org/media-gallery

From their FAQ page (http://tovp.org/faq):

Why has the design changed and what is the inspiration behind the new design?

The 'new' design has been developed by the design team by going back to Srila Prabhupada's original instructions on how the temple should be built, and what type of architecture it should be modelled on.

They put recent updates up (site prep is still going on) -

http://tovp.org/media-gallery

whatever happened to it?

Ok here are the updates.
Seems like its no longer the tallest temple. even in Bengal.
They have come up with a new design and it does look cool :)
and its under construction.
Some images from their website (http://tovp.org/en/media-gallery)

Perspective View

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/2773/77669567.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/1797/26130759.jpg

Under Construction Pics

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/945/10291120.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/380/25916758.png

Antilla for God! Total wastage of money.

Personally I find it very ugly but then that's normal for Iskcon. The only eye pleasing iskcon temple is in Vrindavan.

What is the problem with big architecturally beautiful temples ...

Building and architectures are a reflection of society and Temples have always been a part of that reflection in deeply religious India !!

Ok here are the updates.
Seems like its no longer the tallest temple. even in Bengal.
They have come up with a new design and it does look cool :)
and its under construction.
Some images from their website (http://tovp.org/en/media-gallery)



They were posted on the previous page, but seems they are no longer visible.

I still don't like this design as much as the first one though.

i guess there must have been problem with the funding which led to the scrapping of the earlier design.
Personally for me the religion based theme parks don't really work. am glad to see a much smaller temple though its not the best of the designs

The title should be changed. No longer tallest.

why don't you put a complaint in the suggestions thread :D

It doesn't look like a temple :ohno: and why a yacht :bash:

and why a yacht

High profile saadhu babas, need high profile transport.

--------DP------------

^^ :lol:

More from the same website (http://tovp.org/):

Source (http://tovp.org/director/popup.php?src=http://tovp.org/director/albums/album-4/lg/render__front_1253x940.jpg&w=1253&h=940&title=render__front_1253x940.jpg)

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6562/renderfront1253x940.jpg

Source (http://tovp.org/director/popup.php?src=http://tovp.org/director/albums/album-4/lg/night_view_resize.jpg&w=1512&h=946&title=night_view_resize.jpg)

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/6165/nightviewresize.jpg

Source (http://tovp.org/director/popup.php?src=http://tovp.org/director/albums/album-4/lg/grihastha_area_roof_view_1253x940.jpg&w=1253&h=940&title=grihastha_area_roof_view_1253x940.jpg)
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2311/grihasthaarearoofview12.jpg

Source (http://tovp.org/director/popup.php?src=http://tovp.org/director/albums/album-4/lg/human_eye_side_view_1253x940.jpg&w=1253&h=940&title=human_eye_side_view_1253x940.jpg)
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3034/humaneyesideview1253x94.jpg

This is beautiful!

Looks pretty though it neither looks Indian nor a temple.
the main dome kinda looks like capitol state building.
good for tourism i guess

looks like the Pope 's gonna make it his residence. :lol:
But I like this design ove the previous one

Hmm, looks like this has a lot of detail. I think I'm starting to like it.

wow..it is beautiful...bengal at it again...start a new revolution in temple building.

Love how this state sets the benchmark for everything new.

I am laughing my ass off at this comment :P

BTW bro Akshardham ; you forgot it .... anyways good for bengal !! :cheers:

It's architecturally interesting, if not pretty.

But compared to what it could of been... its insignificant

Jealous?...chicago once envied nyc..and look at it now...it lost the chance to host the upcoming olympics and has gone down the drain.

I am neither fromDelhi or Gujarat but actually have lived in Bengal for long time.

Anyways ... seeing your "reputation" here its imprudent to get in argument with you. :lol:

If and when this temple is built, I do hope they have an in-house VEDIC CHOIR group that will take the lead in singing choir bhajans and kirtans.

Now THAT, gentlemen (and lady), would make it more appealing.