Heritage research

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION)

THESIS Conservation proposal for the hisoric town of Karanja Laad Maharashtra, India

City of Karanja - Laad has been flourishing for last 14 centuries as an important religious and historic centre with a strong mythological significance. Three different religions Hinduism, Islam and Jainism along with associations of being birthplace of Swami Nrusinha Saraswati, an exponent of Datta Sampradaya cult/ sect and the British colonial layer have shaped the culture and society of the place over the period.

This has reflected into all the tangible and intangible cultural resources of this place. Architecture of the town Karanja- Laad has enhanced its unique historic and cultural value with a combination of all these historic layers. This is also a traditional trading historic town with unique hybrid architectural style and has a good potential for developing as a tourist place along with the present image of a pilgrim destination of Datta Sampradaya.

PROJECT FRAMEWORK

CONSERVATION PROPOSAL FOR THE HISTORIC TOWN OF KARANJA LAAD, INDIAM.Arch Thesis project

STUDY OF STREETSCAPES AND ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

This street has few properties with colonial features of Cast iron railing, stone plinth and timber columns

Change in the skyline due to newly added structures Observations – Road from Kannava Ram mandir to Gurumandir which is also a part of the procession route has maximum retained properties.

These were built in the Colonial and Maratha period. Many properties near Darwha ves were owned by the Kannava family which was more prominent during the Colonial period.

Poor condition of old structures

Façade of a house in Malipura

Cast iron railings

Marwadipura has houses of the grocers (marwadis), while some houses are now abandoned.

Shops still continue to open in the mornings and evenings.

Change in materials- loss of character

Façade of a house in Hatotipura

New additions on first floor

Cast iron railings

ESTABLISHING TYPOLOGIES OF HERITAGE STREUCTURES

The Jain temples in Karanja belong to the 14th century and are owned by the Laad community.

They have intricate wooden carvings and a disctinct style of architecture. Each carving depicts a story of a mythology. Every Jain temple has a basement and thick walls made of stone masonry which keep the inner areas cooler during the harsh summer climate.

RELIGIOUS TYPOLOGY

Residential unit (wada) photo

RELIGIOUS TYPOLOGY

Intricate carvings in timber

Features of Maratha Architecture Residential unit (wada) plan RESIDENTIAL TYPOLOGY

CONSERVATION PROPOSAL FOR THE HISTORIC TOWN OF KARANJA LAAD, INDIAM.Arch Thesis project

INDIA LOST AND FOUND – Research on Mahanirban Math SiteLens – Architectural Heritage Mahanirban math(Nitya Thakur Math)is a religious heritage structure located at the Rashbehari Avenue in the busy Kalighat area of Kolkata established by the saint Sri Sri Nityagopal. It has a garden with a temple, Natmandir, and a small office. Outside the temple, a beautiful pond and a garden filled with rare species of trees welcome the visitors. It is the busiest space when in times of different festivals of the Math and welcomes visitors for their daily prayers.

Architecture •

•

The term ‘Math’ originally means a temple, a building, or a pagoda, occupied by saints, priests, and sannyasins, also a monastery, a hermitage, etc. The Mahanirban math consists of a temple(burial place of Sri Sri Nityagopal), Natmandir (Assembly hall), and a small shop with books.

The Math was established in the year around 1890, the building style seems to be of the colonial period (around 1890-1900). The area of the Math premises is 100 bigha and the temple is built in stone. It has a blend of NeoClassical and Indo-Saracenic influence on its elements. It has a huge dome on the roof with five arches on all sides of the temple. Around the main temple, there is a pradakshina path(circumambulation path) with the colonnaded corridor. In the front of the temple, is an assembly hall called Natmandir which appears to be a later addition. The Natmandir is often used for local gatherings, kirtans, and festivals of the Math.

Surroundings •On the premises of the temple, there is also a beautiful pond with many trees.

There are many rare species of trees out of which some are more than 100 years old. (De, 2012) There are also ducks in the temple premises. These natural elements make the area scenic, pleasant, and spiritual for the visitors.

Architectural Style Roof detailing – The flat roof of the temple is decorated with elements of Islamic architecture with recurring leaves on the top and painted stars on the roofline. The parapet also has columns with lights fixed in the corners.

Arches- The temple has both multifoliate cusped arches and pointed arches outside and inside on the walls of the doors of the temple.

On the top of these arches a detailing of flowers and leaves can be seen.

Dome- The dome on the top of the flat roof is an Islamic faceted dome with convolutions(called as melon dome). It also has finials on the top. It is articulately painted with floral design.

Corinthian columns –In the colonnaded corridor Corinthian columns are observed which are a representation of Neo- Classical architecture in the Colonial period. The column originates from the Greek architecture style, and it is one of the classical orders of architecture. The capital of the column has lavish ornamentation which resembles leaves and flowers. (Basel)The columns have fluted shafts and the height of the capitals gives them more slender effect. The Corinthian column base rests on the plinth. The columns in the Math are now colored in bright orange, yellow and red. In all the corners of the corridor the columns are grouped in four to support the roof.

Language and oral traditions, Music, dance, instruments, Folklore/ love & ghost stories, mythology, Rituals •Along with the daily rituals of Chants and prayers in the mornings, several festivals are celebrated every year at the Math. Sri Sri Nityagopal’s birth anniversary is celebrated every year on Vasanti Ashthami Titihi and also Gurupournima tithi. Flowers from the garden of the temple such as hibiscus are offered to the deity every day.

•During the stay of Sri Sri Nityagopal at the Mahanirban Math, Vasanti Ashtami tithi was celebrated with different musical instruments like conch-shells, mridangas, cymbals, and bells. All this music was followed by the light offering ceremony. All the devotees cried, ‘Glory to Guru Jnananda!’. This procession was followed by the kirtans (music) for a long time. Then they washed the body of Thakur(Sri Sri Nityagopal) with milk and water and covered his forehead with sandalwood paste and offered him fresh flowers from the garden. Also, many delicacies were prepared for the festival for all the devotees. The festival used to be a grand celebration which is being continued all these years.

(Nityapadananda, 1948) •Rituals like Shraddha(death rituals), Upanayana (sacred thread), Annaprasana (First rice-eating)are performed by the priests at the Math for the local people and later the Ashram packs food for them for their journey back home.

INDIA LOST AND FOUND – RESEARCH PROJECT ON MAHANIRBAN MATH SITE LENS – INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH