DESIGNING URBAN INSERTION

The insertion of the large parisar around Kashi Vishwanath Dham by displacing old fabric creates a new identity which however seeks to mitigate the necessarily produced form-al’ disruption by attempting to camouflage the alienation itself as integration and primarily through representation. Whereas, the formal and spatial insertions in Patna Riverfront Development provide additional support to current human activities and the identities of the series of interventions are acquired not by any representational scheme but primarily by their functional role, thus making the public domain more amenable to ritualistic celebrations at an individual level or to a large mass of people.

HCP Design Planning and Management, Ahmedabad
REDEVELOPMENT OF KASHI VISHWANATH DHAM
VARANASI | 2022
TOTAL AREA: 48000 SQM

Vishwanath Dham, an ancient pilgrim destination is a temple shrine located 400m from the Ganges ghats, up a gentle slope. The culturally significant site has a very high influx of tourists and pilgrims.

Around the temple was a dense urban fabric – severely stressing the precinct. It has been a result of encroachment and ad hoc construction over the years, making the temple accessible only through narrow and crowded lanes.

The redevelopment project adds modern facilities and functions in the dense precinct of main temple while preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the space. It was a challenging process. Many ancient temples were unearthed during demolition. Therefore, a lot of demolition was done manually while preserving these delicate structures. The master plan was revised to include and restore these temples in the redevelopment. The temple is a bustling center of activity during the day. So, most of the construction was done at night and material was transported through narrow streets or through the river. The design solves problems such as poor access, unorganized functions, lack of amenities, processional routes and infrastructure, and poor circulation from the ghats and the lanes. It creates a processional route between the river Ganga and the temple, creating a befitting temple precinct, with necessary amenities for the comfort, safety and security of tourists, pilgrims, and temple functionaries. It provides infrastructure and provisions for social, cultural, and civic activities and makes the temple accessible to all, including those with restricted mobility.