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] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
There are many ways of classifying types of building. Have a look at our range of building articles.
BSRIA have launched the 'major update' of the go-to design framework guide for building services.
How to get results with building life cycle assessment.
Government publishes a prospectus inviting proposals for new 'garden communities'.
The Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa collapses during rainstorm while undergoing maintenance works.
'Developed design' is a phrase coined by the RIBA for their 2013 Plan of Work. But what does it actually mean?
New green paper published aiming to rebalance the relationship between landlords and residents and tackle stigma.
RIBA calls for a comprehensive ban on combustible materials.
Lump sum contracts can be referred to as ‘fixed price’ contracts, although strictly this is not correct. Find out more here.
Ramboll offer guidance to civil engineers on how to make projects 'off-site ready'.
Government announces its Rough Sleeping Strategy, with further funding for social housing.