INDIAN

TEMPLE Group – 4

FATHIMA MINNATH
FIDA RAFEEQ P P

TOWNS HARSHA KHAN

HISANA MALAH
JAHANA SHERIN V K
JASHIM HAMEED
INTRODUCTION
• Temple towns represent a very important pattern of urbanization, the process by
which cities develop.
• Temples were often central to the economy and society.
• Rulers built temples to demonstrate their devotion to various deities.
• They also endowed temples with grants of land and money to carry out elaborate
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rituals, feed pilgrims and priests and celebrate festivals.
• Pilgrims who flocked to the temples also made donations, Temple authorities used
their wealth to finance trade and banking.
• Gradually a large number of priests, workers, artisans, traders, etc. settled near
the temple to cater to its needs and those of the pilgrims.
• Thus grew temple towns. Towns emerged around temples such as those of
Bhillasvamin (Bhilsa or Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh), and Somnath in Gujarat. Other
important temple towns included Kanchipuram and Madurai in Tamil Nadu, and
Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLE
Characteristics
-Temple lies in the center as core
Street pattern either leading towards the temple or encircling it

Ekambareswarar temple surrounding

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Varadarajaperumal temple surroundings
-Concentric
-Huge praharam and gopuram
-Processional Movements take place in Relation to the Center(temple)
-Spatial Contrast, stands out from other buildings
-Functional dominance (religious precincts a mixture of activity)
-Symbosium and imageability – Gateways and gopuram as main landmark
-Circumambulation
Temple as central core
The deities are taken out in vehicles and follow a specific route, interestingly sometime visit another deity and the entire
of the city
sequence becomes a beautiful pattern as a kind of mobile temple architecture.
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The town of thanjavur is located in the current Indian

State of Tamil nadu. It was the capital of chola kingdom.

Thanjavur is an example of a temple town. Temple town that

Represents a very important pattern of urbanization
 CONTEXT
• Thanjavur known as the “rice bowl of Tamil nadu”.it was a city build 1000 years ago by cholas.
• It was the capital of imperial cholas and was ruled by different rulers from 8th century the cholas, pandyas, nayaks, marattas and the British.
• There were two major heritages brihadeeshwara complex and palace complex
As an assemblage villages centered around the brihadeeswara temple. Brihadeeshwara

• The major occupation of the inhabitants of the town is tourism and service oriented industry. The traditional occupation has always been

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agriculture
Thanjavur’s paintings, exquisite handicrafts is also very famous.

Palace complex
HISTORY Palace complex map Brihadeeshwara temple map
• The city covers an area of 36.131sqkm with a population of about 2,22,613.
• The historic area in Thanjavur is divided into two forts - Big fort and Small fort .
• The small fort is located on the south western end, more elevated than the big fort.
• Small fort - Brahadeeshwara temple , Sivaganga garden, tank , Schwartz church.
• The Brahadeeshwara temple on the southwest corner of the old town is the landmark structure of the city, for its historical and architectural
significance as well as for its monumental scale.
• The big fort has been located on the north eastern side of the small fort.
• The Big fort consists of a large inhabited area with the four main streets of the town defining the residential area .
• palace of Nayak period is also located on the eastern side of this residential area.
TIMELINE

900s Rajaraja cholas took over pallavas (cluster of

small villages)

1000s Son of chola triggered future festivals

1100s
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Brihadeeshwarar temple built

1300-1400
Great palaces were demolished by pandyan
King (sundara )

1500s
Palace laid out by sevappa nayak
Civilisation flourished & maratha palace built
in 1550

Under british ,became regional centre

1800s 5 years annexation replaced nagaippatinam
With thanjavur (an art culture)

1950s Nayak civilization > chola period

Construction of many temples took place.

People moving to new areas

1960s-80s Indian economy stabilizing
Focused on agriculture growth
MOBILITY ANALYSIS
❑During the 1950s,there was huge growth in transportation. There is a clear
growth in the use of busses and trains.
❑Streets, blocks and thus transportation shelters were built around a temple,
tank or palace .
❑The urban pattern shows Nodes, like the Big Temple, in the centre with a
strict gridded pattern expanding.
❑This reflects the form of the Mandala, which is defined as a geometric figure The map represents the common routes available to access the
representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.

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closest Ferry and Airports.
❑India’s roads and transportation patterns follow such ancient principles Its geographical location acts is at centre the facilities. This is
perhaps the reason behind Thanjavur's continual growth and
PLANNING reputation for its culture, centrality and wealth
❑Thanjavur town is made of 4 streets, known as Raja Veethi (North, South, East, and
West) they were broad and straight, and were used by the kings for procession.
❑The old town of Thanjavur was mainly the area encompassing the old bus stand,
Karanthatangudi
Keelavaasal and Karanthatangudi (extension from northern side) which is seperated
by vadavuru river.
RAJA VEETHI
❑Temples and churches were highlighted amongst other commercial variables
❑The river and the City Centre play a role in the placement of the religious Keelavaasal
elements.
❑Major government institutions are positioned in the centre alongside temples.
❑ Big Temple(brihadeshwara temple), Water Tanks, Maratha Palace and
other temples are Nodes - landmarks which determine location and
familiarity.
❑ The big temple location is outside the city centre and is disconnected from
the city, has a commanding presence as it is surrounded by fortified walls
❑ Residential buildings are concerated in the historic region around Maratha
Palace.
 The city plan consist of different patterns, namely
CONCENTRIC RADIAL DESIGN
ORGANIC DESIGN
CARDINAL DESIGN (faces the sunrise)

❑The organic design can be perceived as a result of the development

from the fast growth and “uneven distribution” of area uses
❑Cardinal (east) alignment is portrayed at the Brihadeeswarar temple

❑ Areas developed after the 1900s, follows a regular grid pattern,

consists of streets that run 90 degrees to each other, these
road patterns are perceived as concentric and radial.
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CIRCULATION
❑In Thanjavur, there are three different types of paths: roads for
transportation vehicles, main streets for pedestrian mobility and
confined pedestrian pathways.
❑Between religious and commercial Nodes, there are more frequent
pathways naturally pathed. Source: https://prezi.com/ctxzqadlcjxt/temple-cities-india-thanjavur/

❑As the main users of the city are pedestrians, pathways have been
organically etched and are not perceived as designed elements.
 STREET SECTION

Brihadeshwar Tanjavur
temple Hospital Water palace N.Main
road supply S.Main street Palace ground Vegetable market street

Dwelling
❑Urban spaces are surrounded by sufficient built form to give the dwellers a
sense of their own territory.
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❑In a dense urban form, the street becomes voids that the buildings
embrace and share as outdoor rooms extending out from each dwelling.
❑Since most of the inhabitation here is original, there is a non-imposed
condition of order in the urban organization. In this case, the buildings are
placed randomly with respect to one another.
❑Thus the street contracting or expanding depending on the nature of
dwelling that addresses the street in different locations.

Water Supply and drainage Ayiyan Kulam

❑ Rainfall during monsoon season is collected and diverted to a reservoir called Sevappan Samanthan Kulam
Lake, it is again diverted to Sivaganga tank.
❑ The Sivaganga tank, connected to Ayiyan Kulam in North Main Street and Samanthan Sivaganga tank
Kulam in East Main Street through an underground aqueduct. Sevappan Lake
❑ The water for North Main Street is mainly from Vadavaru.
SETTLEMENT GROWTH

1955 2000
Settlement growth at Thanjavur city
2015
09
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS
❑ Aims to portray the dynamics between CITY CHARACTERISTICS
Residential, Commercial and the Green Space/
Water Tanks. Temples and places with manadapas

❑ Development takes place alongside the Residential buildings are dominant in the city centre
positioning and location of the Big Temple and the
Maratha Palace. Mix of land uses

❑ Low rise buildings are dominant in the city centre Historical significance

❑ The main commercial district is in the southern Well connected transportation network
end.
River & city center plays a mojor role in religious
elements
Temple Source: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Thanjavur#/History, https://divyodaya.wordpress.com/thanjavur-archeology-thanjavur-temple-palace/,
https://prezi.com/ctxzqadlcjxt/temple-cities-india-thanjavur/
MADURAI
TEMPLE CITY
INTRODUCTION
• Madurai popularly known as the Temple city, also called as ATHENS OFTHE EAST, City of Junction, City of Jasmine, CITY
THAT NEVER SLEEPS and City of four junctions. Madurai is third major commercial, political center and a major
transportation hub for the economic , industrial , southern Tamilnadu. the city is renowned for tourism, festivals and
vibrant cultural life in general and is considered to be the states cultural capital
• Country : India
• State : Tamilnadu
• District : Madurai

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• Area : 248 km sq
• Language : Tamil
• Settlement type : Nuclear ( planned based on caste and occupational hierarchy
HISTORICAL TIMELINE
EVOLUTION
EARLY CENTURY 1560 1757

•
•
6th century BC : prehistoric settlement
9th century : settlement between 2 branches • 1372 : captured by Vijayanagara king
•
•
1801-1947 : colonial british rule
1837 : demolition fort wall
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of vaigai • Whole Madurai divided into 72 division • Head quarters for south zone
• Fortified • 3 major communities migrated • 1875 : railway industrial development
• Capital of pandian kingdom • 1559 : Nayak dynasty • Migration from rural communities
• City plan : around temple (kings palace)
• 4 main streets
• occupied by different groups
• Core remained compact 1800
1970 • Houses : trditional+ colonial arches
• Northern part : institution
• Victor mayer bridge across vagai • Scattered settlements
• Palaces : administrative office outside the historic city :
• Vacant plots : religious institution and the northern british
corn markets after independence establishments
• Phenomial urban growth
• Core city : bussiness headquarters of
region
TRADITONAL PLANNING STRATEGIES
The old city of Madurai considered to be designed according to Rajdhani Raj

Five fold concentric rectangular formation

Meenakshi temple

Royal palaces, Brahmins, Priest

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Chitrai street

Trades, Ksatriyas, Vaishnavites

Avani street

Lower caste sudras,

Immigrants sourashitriyans
Masi street

Veli street
SETTLEMENT
The city was well planned one with bazaars & many broad streets with high and luxurious mansions Settlement pattern planned according to ancient system of town planning based on caste
on both sides. and occupational hierarches.

Meenakshi temples planning was the basis of core city’s planning . It extends from the temple till Ancient south Indian temple are designed by planning the temple at centre.
periphery
Planned in terms of vastu mandala and extension the ideologies of Hindu philosophy
Residences with its traditional planning with courtyards & thinnai helps with the hot weather and
provides natural surveillance. Basic pattern is Distorted. Topographical features
Response to natural
landscape
 ELEMENTS OF PLANNING FIGURE GROUND MAP
Madurai has variety of grains which leads to the formation of urban fabric.

o The inner streets form a perpendicular

link to the concentric planning.

Masi street
Avani street
Chithirai street
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Built : 77 %
Unbuilt : 23%
Meenakshi temple towers act as cardinal o The streets gets wider towards
points and visual landmarks the periphery.

o The temple towers-leading to axial The residential cluster in the core Open spaces
planning of the town. city-The fabric.
ELEMENTS OF MADURAI CITY

TRANSPORTATION (PATHS)
• The transportation network is well connected.
• The major roads connects major areas i.e, core city,
educational institutions, administrative buildings, etc. West Veli street

Primary road

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Secondary road
Tertiary road

Bus route
South Masi street
Bus stand & railway station
Source: https://issuu.com/monjimasen/docs/madurai_d052407de1107d

THE STREETS (NODES)

• The streets are laid out in concentric squares.
• These streets creates gathering places , intersections of paths or North Masi street
places of activity.

South Perumal Maistry Street

South Masi street West Chetiyar street
Source: https://issuu.com/monjimasen/docs/madurai_d052407de1107d https://docdownload.net/page.php?title=MADURAI%20/%20URBAN%20DESIGN&doc=urban_design_
madurai&user=gopigovindh&id=200307130039-945e6fa2587f743d7abdb97183b39221&count=188
URBAN GRAINS OF THE CITY (DISTRICTS) LANDMARKS
• City’s fabric is defined by its distinct urban grains.
• Coarser grain areas are core city and Sellur area. These areas are
highly mixed-use creating many opportunities and choice for people. Water body
• The fine grains are mainly the colonies :TVS colony, KK Nagar, Villapuram Shiva temples
colony and Agrini township.
Meenakshi temple

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Vishnu temples

Reinterpreted from: https://issuu.com/monjimasen/docs/madurai_d052407de1107d

WATER BODIES (EDGE)

Water bodies then and now

• The topography of Madurai city created low level lands i.e. small natural tanks and small
streams which served as water sources since historical times.
• They were well connected to the river Vaigai – the excess water from the river flows into
these tanks.
• River Vaigai and these tanks as sacred elements and cultural markers.
Source : https://cityfiedgeek.wordpress.com/2019/06/04/urban-form-of-madurai/
 CITY’S PERFORMANCE
Spatial form of the city determines the city’s performance.
Based on the Kevin Lynch’s five dimensions of performance, Madurai city form helps
the city and its people perform well.

VITALITY
• Madurai with its different zones.
• Historical core zone satisfying the socio-cultural needs is completely contrast of
the Northern city maintaining the equilibrium from the effects of urbanization.

SENSE
• The city’s concentric planning with the temple towers providing cardinal direction
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• Historical monuments gives a sense of place and legibility
• The core city - design elements in human scale .
• Traditional planning of homes with thinnai provides natural surveillance.

FIT
• The fit of Madurai city is good with its spatial and temporal pattern matching the
different behavior of people.

ACCESS
• The city’s planning and the well connected network of transportation and
communication allows access and exchange with minimum time and efforts.

EFFICIENCY & JUSTICE

• The Northern city maintains the equilibrium from the effects of urbanization since
Source :https://cityfiedgeek.wordpress.com/2019/06/04/urban-form-of-madurai/ the core city has development regulations.
:www.google.com
VARANASI
TEMPLE CITY
INTRODUCTION
• The city of varanasi SACRED CITY OF INDIA and it recoganized as the most
ancient continously living city of world.
• Varanasi is located 797 km southeast of new delhi 320 km southeast of
lucknow, 121km east of allahabad
• Varanasi is developed between two rivers , varanna and assi varanasi
• 86 ghats along with river ganga

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• The land of varanasi is considerd to be blessed land.

HISTORY TIME LINE

EARLY HISTORIC PERIOD-VEDIC PERIOD
Origin of the city
• The city originated with creation of manlkarnlka ghats
Cosmic order of city
• 5 elements – sky , earth, air, water, fire
• Creating pilgrimage circuits which developed in the form of garlands ,
consisting of different no.of shrines in chine
• The patterns become base for the further developed for cosmic order.
Settlement – initial stage
• The city was developed in the square and circular combination
• Square- temples
• Circle – act as the circumambulatory path around the temples
 2nd CENTURY BC – ARYAN PERIOD 1725 AD: the kashiraj dynasty establishes Ramnagar.

• traditional core of the city is established. 1775 AD: british gain political control over the city.
• Second settlement stage
• Establishment of textile industry , agriculture, brick architecture, 1794 AD: the cantonment is established.
craft, merchantile
group 1862 AD: the first railway link between calcutta and benaras is
established
4 -6 th CENTURY BC – GUPTA PERIOD .
1916 AD: Benaras Hindu University is established.

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• Settlement 3 stage
• 3 grops of houses 1950 AD: the first master plan for the city was prepared.
Mudhouse with bamboo thickets
Merchants community and multi storeyed houses 1974 AD: Varanasi Development Authority was formed.
high class
1991 AD: "Draft Master Plan 2001" was prepared
8- 10 th CENTURY – PRATHARAS AND GAHADALAVAS PERIOD

• Strong hindu leadership

• Rajghat plateau – centre of royal
• Three zones – ornakareshvera, vishveshvara and kadershvarn
10-11th CENTURY AD: period of golden age.

12th CENTURY AD: city is brought under Hindu andMuslim rule.

13th CENTURY AD: city is bought under rule of Muslim nawabs.

1585 AD: the traditional core is brought underAkbar's mughal empire

1725 AD: the kashiraj dynasty establishes Ramnagar.

SOURCE- slide share of varanasi city growth , google
SPATIAL CHARACTERSTICS OF THE
TRADIOTIONAL CORE

Radial street
Water bodies network

Orthogonal street Superimposition and

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network orthogonal network

The city’s topography consists of

three mounds resembling lord
shiva’strishul. PHYSICAL GROWTH OF CITY
These area recognized as three
sacred cores.

Areas located in the proximity

of the river assume greater
social significance.

SOURCE- slide share of varanasi city growth , google

 SPATIAL CHARACTSTICS OF THE
COLONIAL SETTLEMENT

Colonial settlement
• The colonial settlement was located in
proximity to river varna , 4miles from the
FACTORS AFFECTING LOCATION:
traditional core

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• Traditional core considered
• The British had political control over Varanasi
“dangerous/unhygienic’
from 1775 until 1947.
• Less investment
• The settlement comprises of cantonment, a
• Proximity to river
civil station and administrative quarters
• Each component of the colonial settlement was
located around an in depended focus and
comprised of a mix institutional and residential
uses.
• The settlement has characteristics wide open
spaces.
• The buildings are to stories high.

FACTORS RESULTING IN
DEFORMED STREET PATTERN:
• Exisiting features
• Topography

SOURCE- slide share of varanasi city growth , google

THE STREETS AND NODES
o The streets have a hierarchy of movement pattern with the ones o The streets gets denser than the periphery as we move to the core.
leading to the ghats.
o They have varying widths:
• the most important ones are wide and straight
• the less important ones have lesser width and more zigzag in
nature.

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LANDMARKS
o Varanasi – City of 3000 temples.
o Major landmarks are the temples itself.
o old Kashi Vishwanath temple is the most
important one.

SOURCE- slide share of varanasi city growth , google

CULTURAL MANIFESTATION IN CITY FABRIC
THE GHATS
There are presently 84 Ghats along the edge of the river, but there are five ghat Panchtirth which are considered most
sacred among all the Ghats. These include:

o Assi Ghat o Ghats are the interface between the building edge alongside the
o Dasashwamedh ghat river– permitting access to the Ganga.
o Manikarnika ghat o These are public spaces imputed with cultural appeal.

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o Panchganga ghat o Ghats are important factor for orientation in the development of
o Adikeshav ghat Aarti at Assi ghat ‘Mohallas’

ACTIVITY GENERATOR

Boating Rituals and bathing Temporary commercial shops

https://www.hemudesigns.com/revitalisation-of-the-ghats-of-varanasi

SPATIAL TRANSFORMATIONS
o Stage : The Ghats acts as stage during festival season.
o Sacred place : orientation to the east and yellow
sandstone along with light play creates divine effect.
o Viewing gallery :Tourist hotspot due its historical and
cultural importance.
o Wall : that protected the town from flood.
https://issuu.com/ayushisingh12/docs/final_dissertation
SOURCE- slide share of Varanasi city growth , google