Completed in 2018, the Tejorling Radiance Temple by Karan Danda Architects is dedicated to Mahadeva (Shiva), one of the major gods in Hinduism. Located in Pune, India, the building takes references from the region’s historical aspects and Hindu temple architecture, which is reinterpreted in a contemporary way; a simple brick wall marks the entrance to the area.
Tejorling Radiance Temple Technical Information
- Architects: Karan Darda Architects
- Location: Pune, India
- Topics: Concrete, Temples, Red Architecture
- Area: 13 m2
- Project Year: 2018
- Photographs: © Karan Darda Architects
The design intends to look like a sculpture and is a result of careful extraction from the traditional forms put together in a simpler way.
– Karan Darda Architects
Tejorling Radiance Temple Photographs
Text by the Architects
In a Chickoo tree orchard, the temple is built on a farm for everyday worship by the farmers that live nearby. The overall structure is built using reddish-orange colored concrete, which helps the temple contrast and stand out from the green surroundings. The temple is carefully inserted in a small piece of land that is hidden by trees from most of the surrounding areas creating curiosity for visitors. The dimensions are derived using the golden ratio to achieve the desired human scale.
The design is the result of careful extraction from the traditional forms put together more straightforwardly so that the locals could easily associate themselves with it.
Generally, in a Hindu temple, the innermost Sanctum is reached by a series of Mandapas (pillared halls or pavilions for public rituals). Here the Sanctum is directly opened to the outdoor space and a small meditation space is attached to it so the visitor can go in for a quick prayer and carry on with his work later.
As you arrive at the temple the structure seems like a normal square-based pyramid metaphorically speaking in a meditating state, but as you move around, you discover the protruding mass making the building feel like it’s out of meditation state and is dancing. This way the two forms of Mahadeva (Shiva) are depicted.
– Karan Darda Architects
There are two significant openings to the building, one which forms the entrance, another for the holy water to go out. The water going out is poured on the deity as a part of worship. The two openings form a connection at the top as the pyramid cantilevers.
The base of the temple is a square while it becomes a triangle as it reaches the top, creating five surfaced pyramid, giving an extra dimension to it. An expression of movement is created by pulling a small mass out of the main structure creating a space for meditation. One can sit quietly for a while and feel the space inside. A slit is provided to draw the breeze inside along with a subtle quality of natural light.
“As you arrive at the temple, the structure seems like a standard square-based pyramid metaphorically speaking in a meditating state, but as you move around, you discover the protruding mass making the building feel like it’s out of meditation state and is dancing. “ This way, the two forms of Mahadeva (Shiva) are depicted.
Tejorling Radiance Temple Plans
Tejorling Raciance Temple Image Gallery
About Karan Darda Architects
Karan Darda Architects is an architectural practice based in Pune, India.
The prime thing that I found important and most interesting is the graphs of design and picture of temple design, over top of that the insights shared by you and giving it a whole new meaning is wonderful.
Thank you