Shree Kalyana Venkateshwara Temple near Bangalore
The Shree Kalyana Venkateshwara Hoysala Art Foundation commissioned PRASADA to design a new temple in the complex 12th-century style of the Hoysala dynasty.
Hoysala Temple
In 2010 the Shree Kalyana Venkateshwara Hoysala Art Foundation commissioned PRASADA, through the University's Research and Commercial Development division, for Prof. Adam Hardy to design a new temple. The traditionally constructed Hindu temple is to be built on a hill at Venkatapura near Nangali in Kolar District, Karnataka, India, made of the blue-grey soapstone (chloritic schist) beloved of the Hoysalas.
It is to be dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Shree Venkateshwara (or Balaji). The brief is not for a copy of a Hoysala temple, but for a new creation arising from the design principles manifest in the tradition. The client aims to revitalise regional cultural traditions and the temple is to provide a setting for dance performances, with schools of dance and sculpture envisaged at the site.
A group of master craftsmen proficient in the Hoysala style of sculpture has been identified to work on the project and to train apprentices.
The bhumipuja (initiation of the project, orientation of the temple, worship of the goddess earth) took place on 21 March 2010, and the shilanyasa (foundation stone ceremony) in April 2012. Large granite blocks have been transported to the site and lain to create a level platform for the whole complex.
Yashaswini Sharma, who completed her MPhil with PRASADA, is collaborating on the project through her architectural practice, Esthetique Architects.
Portfolio and analysis
A copy of the full portfolio and analysis is available to download from Orca.
Alternatively, you can access an online version:
- Design for Shree Kalyana Venkateshwara Temple, Venkatapura, Karnataka, India
- Analysis - Context and Methods
- Designing a New Hoysaḷa Temple in Karnataka
Press coverage
- Interview with Roy Noble, The Roy Noble Programme, BBC Radio Wales, 23 April 2010
- Interview with Claire English, Culture Cafe, BBC Radio Scotland, 4 May 2010
- Article in Building Design, 23 April 2010, and BD online, 'India asks Cardiff man to design new temple'
- South Wales Echo, 15 April 2010, 'Cardiff Architect picked to design Hindu temple in India'
