This heritage conservation
project was undertaken by me in 1993.
I was assisted in this project by a group of architecture students from
MITS, Gwalior.
We conducted background
research, documented this temple and prepared measured drawings (a first
step towards conservation). This project won the prestigious Luis Kahn
Trophy in a competition organised by national association of schools of
architecture (NASA) in 1993.
Situated in Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh in India,
Mitaoli Temple is an epitome of the
transition phase between ancient Buddhist architecture and the Hindu
architecture and is one of 9 temples of this kind existing today.
Most noticeable feature of this temple is the absence of 'shikhara' the
characteristic feature of Hindu temples. It is most
complete in its original form, and probably the largest one of its kind.
It is a fine example of the skills of ancient people over geometry and
mergence of organic and inorganic forms, and intermingling of scientific
as well as religious outlook.
Presented
here are some of the measured drawings and images of the Temple. |