Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, currently under construction (2016), is set to become the world’s tallest religious skyscraper.
Located in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India, the Hindu temple will have a footprint of around 5 acres and reach a height of 213 m (700 ft). It is being built by ISKCON Bangalore at a cost of 300 crore (US$45 million), making it one of the most expensive temples ever built.
Designed by Indian practice InGenious Studio, the rocket ship-like tiered building combines traditional Nagara architecture with the sleek elegance of modernist design.
The two distinct features of Nagara temple architecture are:
- In plan, the temple is a square with the middle of each side having a number of graduated projections resulting in a cruciform shape.
- In elevation, a Shikhara (tower), gradually inclines inwards in a convex curve. There is strong emphasis on vertical lines in the elevations.
Much more than just a temple, the structure will include a theme park, drawing inspiration from Vedic literature. A capsule elevator will take visitors through an immersive ‘light and sound experience’ up to a viewing deck.
The temple will commemorate the Hindu deity Lord Sri Krishna, who is said to have grown up in Vrindavan. Surrounding the temple, 26 acres of forest will be cultivated to emulate the descriptions given by Krishna of the 12 forests of Braj.
The project is expected to be funded by donations from devotees, as well as by the sale of apartments and villas that will be built in the vicinity of the temple complex.
The foundation stone was laid in November 2014, and the project is scheduled for completion in 2019.
Content and images courtesy of InGenious Studio.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Ark Encounter, Kentucky.
- Lotus Temple.
- India looks at using plastic instead of sand.
- India needs to build more infrastructure fast. Here's how.
- Indian construction industry.
- Indian infrastructure.
- Mahabat Maqbara, India.
- Ryugyong Hotel, North Korea.
- Sagrada Familia.
- St. Basil’s Cathedral.
- St Paul’s Cathedral.
- Taj Mahal.
- Unusual building design of the week.
Featured articles and news
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.