Water Temple 2.0 by Siddhartha Rajesh Verma

WATER TEMPLE 2.0 Transforming Spirituality into Sustainable Action through Architecture Siddhartha R Verma in collaboration with

Charles Anderson

BLA Washington State University MLA Harvard GSD

Chair : Phil Horton l Co Chair : Will Heywood l M.Arch Independent Thesis 2021

Special Thanks Charles Anderson Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Swami Chidanand Saraswati Hari Arora Sushil Chandra Darren Petrucci Ed Soltero Amit Upadhaye Eddie Jones Diane Jacobs Elena Rocchi Rothi Bhattacharya Juan Fernandez Megha Mehta Ashuthosh Murulya Akash Vaishampayan Bushra Khan Ashuthosh Pannase

Vishwanath Temple (An avatar of Shiva)

Manikar nika (burning) ghat

THESIS QUESTION:

Is it possible to evolve the mythological story surrounding Goddess Ganga (which leads to actions such as undertaking arduous pilgrimages, seasonal and everyday rituals) with a scientific understanding of the river Ganga by evolving the Spiritual experience through Architecture to inculcate a new set of actions to suit the needs of the holy river?

TABLE OF CONTENTS i) Special Thanks ii) Thesis Question

3 5

Chapter I - Water in India

1 Early History 1.2 Role of Step Wells 1.3 Importance of Ganga 1.4 Effect of Prayer on Water 1.5 Ganga’s Water Crisis 1.6 Evolution of Spiritual Relation in Ganga Basin

13 15 17 19 21 22

Chapter II - Problem and Solutions

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5

28 30 35 37 39

Low Minimum Ecological Flow Ground Water Depletion Causing Summer Drying Solid Waste Unchecked Unsustainable Agriculture Internalizing Causes for External Problems

Chapter III- Case Studies

3.1 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16

43 45 47 49 51 53 55

Water Temple 1.0 Connecting Ramps Rain Room Circumbulation path Meditation Kalash Prasad Hall and Idea Garden Past Present Future Columns

3.17 3.18 3.19 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6

Watering Bamboos and Bioenergy Yoga Steps World Stage Samaychakra NMCG Projects Kumbh Mela Sun Temple Anti Thesis

57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71

Chapter IV - Vision Varanasi: Spiritual Capital of the World

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4

76 79 85 86

Varuna Asi Recent Developments Opportunity in Crisis Integration

Chapter V - Water Temple 2.0

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3

91 92 94 97 98 100 103 105 107 108 111 112 114

Creating a Dialogue Site Plan Concept Water Flow Floor Plan Ganga Bio Pools Food Cycle Experience Water Cycle Experience Kalash - Water Vessel Varuna Asi Meditation Solutions through Experiential Architecture New Pilgrimage Route Details

About Author

116 7

PC : GANGA ACTION PARIVAR

INTRODUCTION Water is above us / below us, Inside us / outside us, In our past, present and future. Like a flowing constant. Basically, We are in Water. It is a fact that all life has evolved from water, which flows in and out of us, keeping us clean from inside and outside. Energy in the form of food also comes from water. A relation that best describes our bond with Water is that of a mother, without whom life cannot come into existence, that’s why we call her Ma (mother) Ganga for the gift of life she has brought to the region. Ganga river starts its journey from Himalayas, the tallest mountain range in the world, and ends in Sundarbans, world’s largest delta. Revered as a mother in India, she sustains the largest human population in the world and the largest human congregation happens by her banks during Kumbh Melas. Ironically, She is also the most polluted river in the world. My association with Maa Ganga goes back to my childhood when I first visited Haridwar with my parents at the age of three. We share an ancient connection with the river so much so that all our ancestors have visited the river after birth for Mundan (first hair cutting ritual) or after death (ritual of submerging ashes). In early 2014, I had the opportunity of staying in Varanasi, located about halfway across the stretch of the Ganga where the contradiction is most evident. While enjoying a boat ride after the enchanting evening arti, I noticed the miserable state of the river and this motivated me to look for a solution. This project is a culmination of 6 year journey which took me around her length and breadth in order to find a solution. This thesis asks the question if it is possible to evolve the mythological story surrounding Goddess Ganga (which leads to actions such as undertaking arduous pilgrimages, seasonal and everyday rituals) with a scientific understanding of the river Ganga by evolving the Spiritual experience through Architecture to inculcate a new set of actions to suit the needs of the holy river?

PC : NASA

CHAPTER I

WATER IN INDIA

You Truly are my Mother And You Truly are my Father . You Truly are my Relative And You Truly are my Friend. You Truly are my Knowledge and You Truly are my Wealth. You Truly are my All, My God of Gods. - Sanskrit meaning of a prayer sung by the banks of many rivers in India, especially Ganga.

Great Bath of Mohengodaro : Public bathing has been an important part of the lives of the people for over 4000 years. PC : Britanica

EARLY HISTORY The Indus Saraswati Civilization was a cultural and political entity which flourished in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent between c. 7000 - c. 600 BCE. Its modern name derives from its location in the valley of the Indus and Sarasvati rivers (the Sarasvati River is mentioned in Vedic sources which flowed adjacent to the Indus). Saraswati river is said to meet Ganga and Yamuna at Prayag, the site of modern day Kumbh Mela. The best known Mohenjo-daro was built in a relatively short period of time, with the water supply system and wells being some of the first planned constructions. With the excavations done so far, over 700 wells are present at Mohenjo-daro, alongside drainage and bathing systems.This number is unheard of when compared to other civilizations at the time, such as Egypt or Mesopotamia, and the quantity of wells transcribes as one well for every three houses. Because the large number of wells, it is believed that the inhabitants relied solely on annual rainfall, as well as the Indus River’s course remaining close to the site, alongside the wells providing water for long periods of time in the case of the city coming under siege.Due to the period in which these wells were built and used, it is likely that the circular brick well design used at this and many other Harappan sites are an invention that should be credited to the Indus civilization, as there is no existing evidence of this design from Mesopotamia or Egypt at this time, and even later.Sewage and waste water for buildings at the site were disposed of via a centralized drainage system that ran alongside the site’s streets.These drains that ran alongside the road were effective at allowing most human waste and sewage to be disposed of as the drains most likely took the waste toward the Indus River. Many scholars believe that the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization was caused by climate change. Some experts believe the drying of the Saraswati River, which began around 1900 BCE, was the main cause for climate change, while others conclude that a great flood struck the area. It is important to learn from history to maintain a sustainable relationship with our rivers and the climate. https://www.worldhistory.org/Indus_Valley_Civilization/

Lolark Kund, Step Well at Varanasi PC: Vanishing stepwells of India

ROLE OF STEP WELLS Thousands of Stepwells proliferated throughout the South Asian subcontinent, predominantly in India, beginning in around 600 C.E. They were first and foremost efficient water-harvesting systems, but that bland label doesn’t begin to describe how spectacular these structures are as marvels of architecture, engineering, and craftsmanship. The primary purpose of any stepwell was to provide water for drinking, washing, and irrigation year-round – no simple feat in regions where the precious resource might be buried nine-stories beneath ground. In dry seasons, flights of steps could reach the groundwater when it was a mere trickle, while during India’s dramatic monsoons, the steps (which could number well over a hundred) gradually submerged as the water level rose. But stepwells (generally known as “baolis”, “baoris”, or “vavs” depending on the region and language), served other essential functions. They could be active Hindu temples, for instance, or important shrines or, simply, shady retreats during scorching summers. Stepwells were gathering places for local communities, particularly for women who led otherwise constrained lives. On remote trade routes, stepwells were crucial— not unlike today’s highway rest-stops—whereupon travelers could seek refuge for days. Useful “tools” for local rulers and wealthy patrons to show off their munificence, stepwells were pricy acts of charity that demonstrated benevolence to the population at large. It’s believed that twenty-five percent of the structures were paid for by women in honor of deceased husbands or sons. Despite their prominence for a millennium, stepwells lapsed into obscurity during the British Raj, when they were deemed intolerably unhygienic. Many are thought to have been destroyed, though just how many is anyone’s guess. The advent of modern amenities like village pumps and plumbing hastened their decline and, untethered from their original purpose, most stepwells deteriorated, filling with silt, vegetation, and garbage, while bats, bees, snakes, and other critters took up residence. With depleting water resource, these forgotten stepwells could serve as a place for community engagement and awareness. At the same time, recharging the ground water. https://www.archdaily.com/878527/the-astonishing-vanishing-stepwells-of-india

Ganga bathing at Haridwar during Makar Sakranti festival PC: Siddhartha (Me)

IMPORTANCE OF GANGA The Ganga, revered as mother, is called the River of Heavens. Long ago, she agreed to flow upon the earth as well. As the legend goes, she came to the aid of king Bhagiratha, who appealed to Lord Brahma to let the Ganges flow down from heaven. Bhagiratha’s ancestors, sixty thousand of them, had been burned to ash by the fierce glance of an angry ascetic, and only the funerary water of the Ganges would raise them up again to dwell in peace of heaven. Having won from Brahma the boon of her descent, Bhagiratha persuaded Shiva to hold the Ganga in his hair as she fell, so that the earth would not be shattered by her torrential force. And so, she plummeted down from heaven to the Himalayas, where she meandered in the tangled ascetic locks of Shiva before flowing out upon the plains of India. The Ganges followed Bhagiratha from the Himalayas to the sea where, at the place called Ganga Sagar, she entered the netherworld and restored the dead ancestors of Bhagiratha. Thus, she is called the Triple Pathed River, flowing in the three worlds – in heaven, on earth, and in the netherworld. The river is not just a legend, it is also a life-support system for the people of India. It is important because the densely populated Ganga basin is inhabited by 37 per cent of India’s population. About 47 per cent of the total irrigated area in India is also located in this basin alone. It is a vital water source to five populous states; about 50 crore people rely on Ganga. - NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga) If Ganga thrives, India thrives. If Ganga dies, India dies.

Ganga arti at Rishikesh PC: Ganga Action Parivar

EFFECT OF PRAYER ON WATER What intrigued me most was that people seemed to converse with the Ganga. Conveying gratitude through arti, calling her “Mother”, praying and making wishes. To understand the effect of this on water, I did the famous Rice Water Experiment myself, first done by Dr. Massuro Emoto. This test spanned over 3 months to see how rice boiled in the same pot, divided in similar jars and kept absorbed in water under similar conditions, reacted to positive spoken words like ”thank you”, ”I love you”; and negative spoken words like “I hate you”, over a period of 3 months. One could clearly observe the change in the quality of rice. Both jars fermented but “I hate you” jar rotted soon emitting a foul smell whereas “I Love you” jar remained clean, giving out a sweet smelling odor. This test which spanned over three months was conducted in the same room using boiled rice kept soaked in water in two similar glass jars. While one jar was greeted everyday with positive spoken words like “thank you” and “love you”, the other jar was condemned with negative spoken words like “hate you” and “damn you” etc. Hence, it proves water responds to emotions & sound energy.

Before

After

The tallest Dam of India and in top 10 of the world PC: Water Resource Information India

GANGA’S WATER CRISIS Story of Ganga is the story of Great Indian Civilization, which has thrived on her banks for thousands of years. But today both the river and the Indian people are suffering due to terrible pollution. Ironically, Ganga is the most revered river in India, yet the most polluted. To get to the root of this contradiction I followed her to various cities across her course, Gangotri (source), Delhi (capital of India on the banks of tributary Yamuna), Varanasi (where this entire idea originated), Haridwar, Allahabad (sites of Kumbh Mela), Kolkata (last major city) and Ganga Sagar (merges into Ocean). Here I found an architectural disconnection between the ancient vedic practices of praying to the river and the modern lifestyle of the people. People carry her sacred water home in brass or plastic vessels for use in many religious rituals. On the other hand, the same water is diverted for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes, and thrown back without any sense of sacredness or love, turning her into the most polluted river in India. Clearly our rituals have not evolved with technological and industrial advancements; we learnt to pump and store the waters out of rivers but forgot to extend due respect. More than half of the polluting sewage comes from 6 cities with Kanpur, Kolkata and Varanasi being the major contaminators. Over 3 billion litres of sewage is released into the Ganga per day, against a treatment capacity of just 1 billion litres per day created till date, as per the data released by NMCG. Other factors include pesticides from farm land, unchecked industrial waste and over 450 dams, killing her natural flow. The effects of this stem out into the larger water cycle and fragile ecosystem. Many are forced to consume it directly, while indirectly the same water is used for raising crops that we eventually consume as about half the total irrigated area of India lies in Ganga basin. Does she cease to exist when her water is pumped out of the river and used for consumption? In order to tackle pollution and the water crisis, we must re-establish the sacred relationship to Ganga in all her forms by acknowledging her presence in the entire food cycle and water cycle, and then inspiring action. As a new dawn rises over the river, it is this sacred connection that can save the river and the entire nation from a major water crisis. In the attempt to bridge this gap between practices of our past and present, I see a greater opportunity to tackle all pollution (by-product of Industrial Revolution) with a Spiritual Revolution, developing a healthy sustainable relationship with our planet.

EVOLUTION OF SPIRITUAL RELATION IN GANGA BASIN Ganga is a river flowing in the Heavens.

Angels and demons fight for the nectar of immortality which spills few drops from the holy vessel at Haridwar, Allahbad, Nasik and Ujjain. These become the sites of Kumbh Mela

Ram, considered God in human form, born in Ayodhya, by the Ghaghara river (tributary of Ganga).

Lord Krishna is born in Mathura and lives in Vrindavan by the banks of Yamuna and goes on to deliver Bhagwat Gita - summary of Vedas & Upnishads 3000 BCE

PAST EVENTS (REAL & MYTHOLOGICAL)

History shaping architecture

Ganga’s descends onto Earth after Bhagirath prays for liberation of his ancestors and captured by Shiva in his locks.

When Shiva got married to a princess, compromises had to be made and he decided to move to the plains, as Kashi was the most fabulously built city at the time.

Vedas & Upanishads written by the banks of Ganga to summarize the knowlege of sages. 4000-2000 BCE

Buddha gets enlightened at Bodh Gayaand gives his first sermon 6 miles from Varanasi at Sarnath. Comes a wave of Buddhism in 400 BCE

Built by King Ashoka in 250 CE KUMBH (The Holy Vessel)

The city of Varanasi is built around the temple of Vishwanath with hundreds of temples lining the pilgrimage path

KUMBH MELA (The Holy Vessel Festival)

Kumbh Mela 2021 was preponed due to astrological reasons & became super spreader event. 22

Shankaracharya repopulalizes Hinduism and the Kumbh pilgrimage becomes popular again. 8 AD

India gets Independence. The first PM dubs dams as the modern Temples of India 1947

India falls under Muslim occupation, many temples destroyed and some built during this time. 1500-1900s

Babri Masjid destroyed as part of religious-political rally 1991

ISCKON founded, starting the Krishna counsciousness revolution 1957

Ram Mandir new construction begins

PM Modi comes to power with the dream to develop Varanasi as the Spiritual Capital of the world. 2014

National Emblem

Temples at important historical/ mytholocial sites were razed and mosques built on top to eraze history and modify cultural practices. In the abscence of a temple, there was no place to perform rituals or pilgrimage. Whereas, a different set of rituals and befiefs were promoted through these mosques.

ISCKON building temples to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna

“The vastu-purusha-mandala represents the manifest form of the Cosmic Being; upon which the temple is built and in whom the temple rests. The temple is situated in Him, comes from Him, and is a manifestation of Him. The vastu-purusha-mandala is both the body of the Cosmic Being and a bodily device by which those who have the requisite knowledge attain the best results in temple building.” (Stella Kramrisch,; The Hindu Temple,Vol. I) A Temple’s Garba-griham (main sanctum) is equated with human head; antarala (vestibule) is equated with human neck; ardha – mandapam (half-hall) is compared with human chest; maha –mandapam (main hall) is equated with the stomach; flag-post is viewed along with human male organ;and gopuram or temple gateway tower is viewed along with human feet. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343713801 (link) The plan of the temples are the replica of the Vastupurashamandala, the grids of the square of 8X8 where the cella is twice the width of the walls of the cella. The Nagara style of temples in the west and the central India followed the orthogonal grids of the mandala. In examples from 7th century at the Vishnu Temple Deogarh in Madhya Pradesh, the square grid was modified by extending one time on each side outwards. Further, during the 10th century at the Surya temple, Modhera the square grid was modified by extending twice on each side outwards. Later on in the 11th century the Hindu temple plan became complex and reached their final form. This time the square grid was modified by extending thrice on each side outwards, The Khandriya Mahadev Temple at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is the best example for this. The temples in the South India in the 13th century developed the stellate plans meaning the plan of the garbhagriha was in the elaborate star shaped. These complex plans were derived from the basic square. This was achieved by rotating the square around.

PC : Evolution of Temple plans during 13th- 14th century

Symbolism in Hindu Temple Architecture and Fractal Geometry - ‘Thought Behind Form’ Tanisha Dutta1, Vinayak S. Adane

Earth is circular. Man and Earth’s surface is 70% water.

With the modern day understanding that the earth is round, it makes sense to create a circular stellar plan for our project.

Discussing solutions with the winner of Stockholm Water Prize Dr Rajendra Singh, also known as the Water man of India.

CHAPTER 2

PROBLEM AND SOLUTIONS Human activities are the source of all pollution, with deliberate changes in our everyday actions we can bring about a change in the overall health of the river. During the pandemic, when the human activities were brought to a standstill, Ganga’s pollution level dropped to all time low showing a direct relation between our activities.

Aerial view shows washed away Tapovan hydel power project plant after the glacier burst, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Feb. 12, 2021. Photo: PTI

Swami Aatmabodhanand broke 194 day fast to save Ganga. (left) PC: ANI Previously, IIT Kanpur professor and environmental activist died in 2018 after fasting for 111 days demanding ban on hydro construction activity in Ganga and maintaining atleast 50% ecological flow so the river could self cleanse.

LOW MINIMUM ECOLOGICAL FLOW PROBLEM : While addressing the participants of the Uttrakhand Flood distster 2.0: From Analysis to Action, the stockholm water prize winner and famously dubbed the Waterman of India Mr Rajendra Singh said : “The Himalayan Rivers exist in steep slopes and seismic zones. The government has to tradeoff between promoting tourism or contemplating on the fact that the superfluous rivers should be favored back either as means of conservation or pilgrimage. Every river conservation policy should have incorporated the factors of climate change. Overexploitation of such rivers and natural resources at the source or origin will produce devastating results. Construction of dams and hydro-electric projects in these geologically sensitive areas involving steep slopes amounts to a huge economic loss. Such losses are mounted if the project cost and the ecological cost are also considered and can be as high as Rs 18 per unit. Comparatively, the usual cost per unit of solar energy is Rs 4. For decades, people have been protesting against the construction of such projects. However, the major reasons as stated by the government are capacity building for defense and promoting the tourism sector. These reasons are incessant, but a cost-benefit analysis won’t be infertile to assess the economic and social impact of the disasters and economic returns from tourism. The supercomputer available currently only accommodates and counts one blast in the mountain of which the factors are analyzed but fails to take into account the subsequent series of blasts that take place. These blasts shake up the mountain core which then affects the river ecology, the latter getting highly disturbed mostly in terms of volume of flow. The consequence of this thus becomes disastrous.” Uttrakhand Flood Disaster 2.0: From Analysis to Action POTENTIAL SOLUTION : Of 40,000 MW target for rooftop solar by 2020, India has only 4,324 MW, according to ministry of new and renewable energy. - The Hindu Business Line - May 30, 2021 Government provides subsidy for Solar installation, therefore with the help of CSR funds it’s possible to transition to solar and eliminate the need to install more hydropower.

Similar to the blood which flows across the body to supply energy and remove toxins from all cells , Ganga requires natural flow to self clean. Dams reduce natural flow and the self cleaning ability.

Map of the Ganges river showing the ground water table in and around Ganga river basin. PC : Water Resource Group

GROUND WATER DEPLETION CAUSING SUMMER DRYING PROBLEM : The gradual depletion of groundwater is definitely contributing to the lowering of water volume in the Ganga. It is very important to understand that groundwater contributes significantly in maintaining the base flow of all rivers. We found that the water level in the Ganga had depleted at various points in the range of 0.5-38.1 cm per year between the summers of 1999 and 2013. Interestingly, the groundwater storage in the adjoining Gangetic aquifers also depleted by about 30 cm per year. Our estimates showed that in 2016, the base flow amount in the Ganga reduced by about 59 per cent from the beginning of the irrigation pumping age of 1970s. This clearly underlines the impact of groundwater depletion on river water. - Abhijit Mukharjee - a professor of geology at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and winner of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2020, under the ‘Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences’ category, for his research on groundwater. POTENTIAL SOLUTION : A comprehensive inventory of devices and methods available for Managed aquifer recharge can be found in Gale (2005) and Escalante & Sauto (2012). MAR methods can be broadly classified into six systems: (1) disperse (e.g., infiltration ponds, infiltration fields, irrigation channels); (2) channels (e.g., dykes, diversions); (3) wells (e.g., open infiltration wells, deep wells, mini-probes, dolines); (4) filtration (e.g., filtration banks, inter-dune filtration, subterranean irrigation); (5) rain (e.g., rainwater capture); and (6) sustainable drainage urban systems (e.g., sewerage recharge, urban drainage systems). Methods are selected considering the recharge needs, limitations due to hydrogeological setting and costs for installation and maintenance.

Water below the ground is used more than it’s being recharged leading to an inharmonious relationship.

Composition of waste in Indian cities

SOLID WASTE UNCHECKED PROBLEM : As per the recent data from MNRE Report, India is generating exponentially about 145 million tonnes of waste per year and further expected to reach approximately 260 to 300 million tonnes per day in the year 2047. As per the CPCB, India data, about 117,644 MT collected, and around 49,401 MT is only treated (Central Pollution Control Board, 2016). It has been observed that about 40% to 50% of the solid waste composition is organic, 30% of (inert & construction/demolition waste), and remaining is recyclable waste. The general awareness of solid waste management is quite low due to a lack of self-motivation and attitude (Nandan et al., 2017). The citizen usually found discarding waste from their house without segregation, which further makes it challenging to waste collector to distinguish the waste type. It’s not only about their education, but also social taboos prevailing in society towards waste which doesn’t allow them to behave responsibly towards waste (Ghosh, 2016b).

POTENTIAL SOLUTION : Since compostable fraction in Solid wate is above 50%, in most of the cases which indicates the suitability of organic waste for the generation of compost and biogas yield. Hence, most of the Indian cities could adopt organic waste-based strategies for treatment.

According to an official, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has started providing help in the form of infrastructure and finance for efficient waste management in the states that lag behind. Steps are being taken to achieve the goal of 100 per cent management of waste throughout the country by 2022. Solution lies in following the guidelines of the Clean India Mission https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2020.100011

The bladder stores toxins in our bodies seperate from rest of the body, while we do not segregatetake the effort to seperate the organic waste.

90% of all freshwater withdrawal in the country is used by agriculture alone, with groundwater contributing 62% of all irrigation water in the country. (Representative image)

UNSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE India uses a staggering 25 per cent of its water resources to grow rice. Of course, rice is not the only culprit. India is among the most inefficient agriculture producers in the world and all major crops — wheat, sugarcane, cotton — consume large quantities of water. Agriculture consumes 83 per cent of India’s water resources, leaving only 17 per cent for domestic and industrial use. According to the 2030 Water Resources group (WRG) report, by 2030, India will be able to meet only 50 per cent of its projected demand of 1,498 billion cubic meter (m3) of water. According to a 2010 report of the Unesco-IHE Institute of Water Education, the water footprint (the ratio of total volume of water used to the quantity of production) of rice production in India is 2,020 M3 a year compared with 970 M3 a year in China and a global average of 1,325 M3 a year. This means we use more drop per crop than most other countries, an inverse of our avowed national objective of “more crop per drop” Micro-irrigation deserves greater attention. According to WRG, drip irrigation in India has a technical potential to cover 37 million hectares by 2030, up from only around 2.5 million ha in 2005. Drip irrigation is relevant not only for horticulture crops but also for water intensive crops like sugarcane and cotton. A study by the National Mission on Micro-Irrigation shows a 22 per cent to 40 per cent saving in water across different horticulture crops. The same study shows a saving of up to 20 per cent and 40 per cent in sugarcane and cotton respectively. These figures represent significant water saving and therefore it is vital that greatest importance is attached to micro-irrigation. Also, water saving agronomic practices can be readily implemented. The most obvious example of this practice is direct seeding of rice. An International Rice Research Institute paper, which reviewed 44 studies from different countries, showed 12 per cent — 33 per cent lower irrigation water use in direct seeded rice than in flooded transplanting. As most rice in India is grown using transplantation, it is important that the practice of direct seeding is encouraged. None of these measures is novel and nor is this the first time they are being discussed. What is missing is the singular focus that is required to address a sustainability challenge of this magnitude.

The bladder stores toxins in our bodies seperate from rest of the body, while we do not put the effort to seperate the organic waste.

INTERNALIZING CAUSES FOR EXTERNAL PROBLEMS ENERGY CENTRES

LOCATION IN BODY

CROWN CHAKRA

Above the head

THIRD EYE CHAKRA

Mind - between the eyes

THROAT CHAKRA

Throat

HEART CHAKRA

Heart

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

Stomach

SACRAL CHAKRA

Bladder

ROOT CHAKRA

Below body

GRATITUDE

LOVE NOT RECIPROCATED

Rain

Flooding

Sustaining life

Unawareness

Water to drink

Dries up

Energizing body in the form of blood

Hydro electric dams block flow

Gratitude for all food grown with water

Wasteful Agriculture

Gratitude for water being filtered from body

Trashed

Gratitude for water below ground

Ground water depletion

Monolith carved elaborating the descent of Ganga on Earth at Mahabalipuram dating back to early Pallava dynasty circa sixth century AD. PC: Wikimedia commons

CASE STUDIES 41

WATER TEMPLE 1.0 42

CONNECTING RAMPS Each ghat in Varanasi has a specific relevance for Hindus, some for cremation to attain moksha, some rid one of sins by taking a dip, while some are inauspicious for bathing. Each ghat has its own story and facilitates a different conversation with Ma Ganga. Ramps integrated with steps here provide convenience to differently abled and elderly. Bathing at this ghat would be a promise of respecting Ganga in the entire water cycle and never polluting again.

RAIN ROOM Modern Kund: In older days, Temples had washing tanks for ritual bath at the entrance. Similarly, in Mosques ritual ablution is required and in Gurudwara feet are washed. Nowadays, such tanks lie useless as our relationship has evolved and we bathe at home. Even Ganga water is unsafe for bathing as high BOD level makes it extremely contaminated, so tourists or pilgrims prefer to take a shower in their rooms after a dip in the Ganga. Here artificial rain would follow a person with the help of 3D trackers which will be a novel magical experience that would make people look at natural rain in a new avatar. This would serve the purpose of making the visitors “Realize” the first step of connection by feeling, seeing and hearing rain water pouring down. Facilities of cloak room and changing room will also be available here.

CIRCUMAMBULATION Circumambulation ramp is like the mandapam around a conventional temple having many stories about the deities and world engraved in stone. Here people would pass through 3 Water Screen rooms taking them around the temple, from ground floor to the first floor. They will be made aware of our eternal relationship with water and the importance of respecting water will be projected onto Water Screens to educate and inspire people. They can grasp the greater significance of Ganga Arti and dream of a world in harmony with water.

MEDITATION KALASH River bank filtrated Ganga water is stored in a huge circular copper vessel, size of an Olympic size swimming pool, but average depth only 3 feet tapering towards center. People reach the meditation area (inside the symbolic kalash) where they can introspect on the deeper relation with Water. There are 108 seating stones around the “holy copper vessel”, where sitting people can see the reflection of the sky, clouds (water vapour), ourselves (70% water) to realize the oneness of everything, oneness of water and pray in their own individual ways for harmony at all levels in the world. Green roof is provided to accommodate more people outside.

Biogas plant

Cloud ashram

Idea garden

Solar kitchen

Returning organic waste back to the larger water cycle.

For reidential meditation programs and clean up mission teams.

Here people of learn of innovative ways to contribute.

Food grown in Ganga basin cooked with Solar Energy will be served at Prasad Hall

Bamboo urinals

PRASAD HALL

Using diluted urine to feed bamboos.

The prasad hall will serve food grown in the Ganga basin, cooked with solar energy, for a nominal price to everyone (inspired from free kitchens at Shirdi temple and Golden Temple). However, it will be served free to1) Sevaks of Maa Ganga (Volunteeers) 2) Visitors who take the complete experience 3) People who contribute in some way to the Solution center Here they can realize the flow of energy in the form of food provided by mother Ganga and channelize the same for her betterment.

IDEA GARDEN Finally, people will reach the solution center where they will be made aware of innovative ways through which they can contribute (by choosing the right karma) while harmonizing their role in the water cycle. This will serve as a platform for Namami Ganga and Swacch Bharat Mission as well. People can contribute by truly feeling grateful and reflecting the love in our actions through choosing a way to contribute that suits them best-– 1) 2) 3)

Time (Volunteering) Donation Adopting rituals

The progress of Namami Ganga & Swatcch Bharat, money spent & steps taken are exhibited here.

Image: Exploded view of Idea garden

PAST PRESENT FUTURE COLUMNS COLUMN 1- Gangotri Water (constant forever), COLUMN 2-Varanasi Water (constant forever) COLUMN 3- Refilled with Varanasi water everyday. Moving forward, people would come down a 50m ramp with a good view of Ma Ganga to realize what our thoughtless actions have done to her through a view of the three water columns. This ramp connects the whole experience like a “mauli” around a kalash. People reach these 3 - 12m tall glass columns filled with Ganga water for people to observe the change in quality of river water. In the first column, pure water from Gangotri, and in the second, polluted river water from Varanasi will be stored, constant forever. To see what our thoughtless actions have done to her. In the third column we will store river water from Varanasi everyday. So that people can observe change in water quality everyday. The progress of Namami Ganga & Swacch Bharat mission, money spent & steps taken will also be exhibited here.

Solar panels

WAT E R I N G BAMBOOS

Bamboos can use human urine as a fertilizer, so the urinals are designed such that water used for washing hands would dilute the urine which will then be used to feed bamboos via drip irrigation. Since bamboos grow quickly, they would be further used to make dustbins or Yoga mats. These urinals will be another experience to highlight the fact that water flows in and out of us, reminding people we are part of a larger water cycle. Respectfully returning the water in body to water cycle (ecosystem).

BIO ENERGY Waste collected by the Samaychakra and the entire riverfront of Varanasi will be brought to this electro-mechanic trolley by Biogas powered boats. This waste will be taken to segregation area where organic waste will be used for biogas generation and non biodegradable waste will be used for recycling. Nisargruna type biogas plant is used for efficient biogas generation. Respectfully returning the water from food to the ecosystem.

YOGA STEPS Steps are so designed that one person can sit on each step, 5000 in total. People sit here in solitude and meditate, contemplate overlooking Ganga and connect with Her. This area will otherwise be a silent zone where boats will not be allowed. People can meditate here or just sit and contemplate.

Images description: Floating stage amphi-theatre, Stage with curtain open & closed 60

WORLD STAGE Varanasi is also a UNESCO Musical City of the world. Subah-eBenaras could be the cultural arm of the program and complete the experience with classical music & Ganga Aarti. A world class stage here could give our musicians a bigger platform to showcase their talent. The existing steps will be used as an amphitheatre and the artists will perform on a floating stage, with water curtains that can be turned on between performances.

SAMAYCHAKRA The solid waste flowing in the river will be filtered out before it enters Varanasi. The wheel will revolve slowly completing 2 revolutions/minute on an average. With 24 spokes inspired from the Ashoka Chakra, it will symbolize changing times in India and will be seen from a distance which would act as a reminder to people of their connection with water. Waste will be collected with a floating boom connected to the other end, which will be removed with the help of a conveyor belt rotated by the water wheel. (Capable of removing over 25,000 kg waste/day) Hinged support is provided for the wheel to move up and down with rising and falling of the water level.

Dhari Devi Ghat - Existing

Dhari Devi Ghat - Proposed

Kaudiyala Ghat - Existing

Kaudiyala Ghat - Proposed

Bhagirathi Ghat - Existing

Bhagirathi Ghat - Proposed

Mokshadham ghat, Bihar -Existing

Mokshadham ghat, Bihar -Proposed

Narvar Ghat, Uttar Pradesh -Existing

Narvar Ghat, Uttar Pradesh -Proposed

NMCG CSR PROJECTS

Ecologically insensitive - Horizontal concrete walls

Balu ghat proposal, Bihar 65

Kumbh Mela 2021 PC: Dainik Jagran

KUMBH MELA The sacred vessel festival

Kumbh Mela, is a religious Hindu festival that is celebrated four times over the course of 12 years, the site of the observance rotating between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers—at Haridwar on the Ganges River, at Ujjain on the Shipra, at Nashik on the Godavari, and at Prayag (modern Prayagraj) at the confluence of the Ganges, the Jamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati. Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter, the holiest time occurring at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied. The Kumbh Mela at Prayag, in particular, attracts millions of pilgrims. In addition, a Great Kumbh Mela festival is held every 144 years at Prayag, most recently in 2001. The Kumbh Mela lasts several weeks and is one of the largest festivals in the world, attracting more than 200 million people in 2019, including 50 million on the festival’s most auspicious day. Tradition ascribes the Kumbh Mela’s origin to the 8th-century philosopher Shankara, who instituted regular gatherings of learned ascetics for discussion and debate. The founding myth of the Kumbh Mela—attributed to the Puranas (collections of myth and legend)—recounts how the gods and demons fought over the pot (kumbha) of amrita, the elixir of immortality produced by their joint churning of the milky ocean. During the struggle, drops of the elixir fell on the Kumbh Mela’s four earthly sites, and the rivers are believed to turn back into that primordial nectar at the climactic moment of each, giving pilgrims the chance to bathe in the essence of purity, auspiciousness, and immortality. The term Kumbh comes from this mythic pot of elixir.

Kalash (also known as Kumbh, is a holy water vessel) The water in a Kalash symbolizes the primordial water from which the entire creation emerged. The idea of the holy vessel for storage of Ganga water evolves from a “Kalash” used by Hindus during auspicious occasions such as Grihapravesh or wedding ceremonies or in temples. A Kalash is placed near the entrance as a sign of welcome. It is also used in a traditional manner while receiving holy personages. A copper pot filled with water, mango leaves placed on the mouth of the pot and coconut placed over it. A red -yellow sanctified thread called Mauli is tied around the neck of the pot. The thread represents universal love that binds all in creation. Copper is used as it has anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. The event this year held in March-April in the midst of covid bacame a super spreador event, reinstating the need to evolve ancient practises to suit present day. 67

Images: Sun Temple, Konark google Earth view; Sun Temple, Konark PC: Rajesh Verma 68

SUN TEMPLE

UNESCO World Heritage site : Designed like a chariot for Sun God

Images: Artist’s impression of Sun Temple Konark before destruction (left), Relation of human energy centres with the cosmic being.(right) PC - Templesofindia.com

As a devotee enters a Hindu temple, he proceeds through the various parts of the temple, from kund to mukh mandapam, to mahamandapamjagmohan, and then finally to garbha-griha, he symbolically climbs the sacred mountain, leaving the world, its multiplicity and ignorance behind and proceeds towards the pinnacle of knowledge, that is self-realization; he proceeds to have darshan of the deity in the garbha-griha, where he realizes his oneness with the deity or the Supreme consciousness. The outermost walls of the mandapam and the adhisthana is where the scenes from the world are described in which the devotee sees every kind of activity that takes places in this world; from war to love. As he proceeds inwards he witnesses scenes that are less worldly and have a sacred flavor to it and finally in the garbha-griha (deul) there is the principal deity. This experience complements a journey through the different energy centres in the human body - from the root chakra( base of the spine), sacral charal (sexual organs), Solar plexus chakra (stomach), Throat chakra, Third eye chakra (in between the eyes), crown chakra (out of body - above the head) The garbha-griha (deil) is so named because it is literally the womb of the temple. It is so because under the deity, the ‘seed’ of the temple is inseminated in a kalasha or kumbh (pitcher) and buried. It is directly above this that the image of the deity is installed.

Chandi Ghat Ganga Avlokan museum Cost : 69.18 crore Year completed : 2019

Designed to ease access for pilgrims/ tourists to Ganga. (left) 70

ANTI THESIS

Riverfront developed by National Mission For Clean Ganga Unimaginative Ganga museum and ecologically unholistic riverftont which doesn’t do justice to the great history, current needs or future requirements of the holy river.

Ganga Museum, Chandi Ghat

Presented proposal to Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji

“Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and Nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us to deal with climate change.” Speech of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji at 69th UN General Assembly

VISION VARANASI : SPIRITUAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Constituency of Honourable Prime Minister

FOUR PILGRIMAGE ROUTES IN THE CITY LEADING TO THE VISHWANATH TEMPLE RIVER VARUNA & ASI NEW CHANNEL GANGA RIVER

74 GOOGLE IMAGE

VARUNA ASI “Tat Tvam Asi” (Thou Art That) -Veda Mahavakya Land between Varuna river and Asi river is known as Varanasi. In Sanskrit, Varuna means the “Divinity in all water“ including rivers, oceans, rain, etc while Asi means “You are”. Varanasi therefore means “Land where you come to realize “Oneness with all Water”. It is also one of world’s oldest continuously habituated city which has been central to the development of Hindu faith, important for Buddhist and Jains as well. Famous for its temples, ghats & sunrise, Varanasi attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims each year. It is believed that a dip in Ganga here absolves one of all bad karma (sins) and anyone who dies here attains Moksha (liberation). The holy Ganga river forms a distinct one edge of the city and is an essential part of all the sacred ritual practices along the ghat area. The riverfront comprises of a series of 84 ghats as a special chain of sacred places with flight of steps leading down to Ganga. However, many are unable to connect because of the pollution level of the river which makes the water unfit for bathing and consumption. Varanasi is also the constituency of our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who envisions it to be the Spiritual Capital of the World. About 6 million tourists visited Varanasi in 2016 but it’s considered a sister city to Kyoto (Japan) which receives over 50 million tourists every year, therefore a huge potential for growth exists. Hence, it forms the perfect location for the proposed pilot Water Temple.

Vishwanath Temple (An avatar of Shiva)

Manikar nika (burning) ghat

7 - Vessel (Boat) ride . in Ganga

1- Pilgrims carry Ganga water from the banks and pour it onto the Shiv ling at the Vishwanath temple and their home town.

2- Pure Ganga water obtained from Upper Ganga is available in bottles for ritualistic purposes.

3- Arti to convey gratitude to mother Ganga every evening

STORIES SHAPING RITUALS & VESSELS SUPPORTING RITUALS

4- Human ashes after cremation at Manikarnika ghat are submerged in Ganga to aid transition from this world to the next.

6- The steps leading upto the river invite pilgrims to take a dip. Some areas along the ghats are consider holier than others for a dip based on the stories attached to it while some are designated for women. 5- Ganga water from a vessel is poured backo convey gratitude to Sun in mornings. East facing ghats naturally aid this relation.

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN VARANASI

Varanasi has witnessed major changes in the last 5 years with many ghats getting a revamp. The Recently, turtle sancuary from the flood plain in Varanasi was moved to Mirzapur-Pryagraj. This led to two major developments a) Dredging at the easter bank of Ganga During dredging, the irrigation department spared a sand between left and right banks of the river. The gap between the island and the right bank is 45 m. The average depth of river on the ghat side is 10 metre while the depth of the channel is 7 m. b) Proposed Tent City (Glamping site) A tent city is likely to be develped by October 2021 which will stay for up to five months, after which it will be dismantled and then reassembled the following year. It is expected to have 500 beds and be equipped with electricity supply, water supply, a washroom and a bio-toilet each. c) Vishwanath Temple Corridor Historic Preservation of the ancient temple and clear pilgrim path.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/82922364.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_ medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst (link)

DEVELOPMENT OF VISHWANATH CORRIDOR

PLAN OF VISHWANATH CORRIDOR

Ganga water unsuitable for drinking purposes and many foreign tourists do not feel comfortable bathing in the river which provides an incomplete experience. Vishwanath Temple Manikar nika (An avatar of Shiva)

SECTION THROUGH VISHWANATH CORRIDOR

(burning) ghat

Ganga

PC : HCP ARCHITECTS

The new Ganga canal creates a new riverfront where the experience could be completed by providing clean Ganga water for drinking & bathing. New Riverfront

Proposed festival area

Channel

There is also a need for fresh water at proposed glamping sites and to sustain a new festival. This creates an opportunity to create a dialogue with mother Ganga through a Water vessel which is culturally appropiate. A possible Kumbh Mela, with the aim to rid mother Ganga of our everyday burden. PC : HCP ARCHITECTS 85

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

GANGA

FLOOD PLAIN 86

CREATING A DIALOGUE

LEGEND GLAMPING SITES NEW CANAL CURRENT PRIMIGE ROUTE NEW PILGRIMAGE PROPOSED FESTIVAL AREA NEW RIVERFRONT

“If documentary is to document what is existingly important, fiction is to fantasise what the world could be. Architecture designs are like fictional future, and historic preservation like documentary of the past. Turning dreams into concrete reality, Architecture creates canvas for the stories of our lives. Pilgrimage routes are like constant stories which have been relived for generations, leading to certain ritualistic practices. An addition/continuation of this pilgrimage route could create a sequel to the existing story, where carefully curated rituals could be added.” -Adapted Quote From Bjarke Ingles 87

INTEGRATION OF FESTIVALS

KUMBH MELA

PC: Me

Largest human congregationon the planet, gathered together for liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

WORLD CULTURAL FESTIVAL By the banks of Yamuna, organised by the Art of Living, celebrating oneness in diversity and love for meditation. PC: The Art of Living Organization

BAL GANGA MELA

PC: The HCL foundation

Organised as a CSR Activity for NMCG to educate kids about ways to clean Ganga.

INTEGRATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE GHAT (RIVERFRONT)

PC: Tristam Savatier

Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganga. The city has 88 ghats. Most of them are used for bathing, yoga and performing various religious rituals. Few are used exclusively as cremation sites. People come to bathe in the river to wash away sins, while others to wash clothes.

STEP WELL It is a rectangular tank of 15m height from below the ground level. The word Lolark means ‘trembling Sun.’ it denotes the wavering image of Lord Surya, the Sun God, in the water of the tank. A flight of steep steps has been built for approaching the tank. Many religious festivals are celebrated here. Thousands of devotees come here during the festival of Lolark Shasthi to worship the Sun God PC: Vanishing Stepwells of India

OVERHEAD TANK Water towers exist because it is the most efficient way to distribute water using gravity. Water is kept safe for distribution at a higher level. It is usually the tallest structure in the neighbourhood and a landmark for the community. PC: Me

WATER TEMPLE 2.0

Water Temple Images Anti-Cloclwise: Ganga Arti, Prayer, Cremation, Bathing Ghat & Sunrise (centre)

VARIOUS RITUALS

TREE LEGEND Indian weeping willow Sycamore Water Lily Sedges Reeds Rushes

SITE PLAN

THE HOLY VESSEL Seed

Plant Vessel

THE FLOW

LVL 2 PLAN

WORKSHOP AREA

FESTIVAL AREA

GLAMPING AREA

FESTIVAL AREA

Water flow 97

LVL 1 PLAN

LEGEND - Relation to energy centers in body

BIO POOL Naturally filtered river bank flitrated water from the ground, after bio filtration will be made available to visitors for bathing

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FOOD CYCLE EXPERIENCE Naturally cooked food will be be available to visitors and the kitchen waste will be used to generate Bio energy, while the toilet waste will be recycled through living system.

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Subah e Banaras images top to bottom : Cultural classical music program, Yoga program

WATER CYCLE EXPERIENCE Water responds to music and our bodies respond to it as well. Visitors will be able to enjoy soothing classcial music while observing the water cycle naturally purifying the water as they move around the structure and looking at beautiful pictures from Ganga basin in the exhibition areas.

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KALASH- The Holy Water Vessel “As above, so below. As within, so without.” -Hermes Trismegistus

River bank filtrated and bio filtered Ganga water is stored in a huge circular copper vessel, size of an Olympic size swimming pool, but average depth only 3 feet tapering towards center. People will be able to sit around and meditate around and observe the reflection of themselves and clouds and realizing oneness of everything. Water from the Kalash will be made available for people to quench their Spiritual thirst and sustaining the needs of the Water Temple.

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VARUNA ASI MEDITATION Varuna Asi (Sanskrit Translation) Divinity in all Water As a culminating experience of the Water Temple, visitors reach here understanding the various factors leading to pollution which stem out of their bodily needs and activities. Here they will be made aware of how a shift in their everyday lives could make them contribute to the solution rather than the problem of Ganga pollution.

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INTERNALIZING CAUSES FOR EXTERNAL PROBLEMS ENERGY CENTRES

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LOCATION IN BODY

CROWN CHAKRA

Above the head

THIRD EYE CHAKRA

Mind - between the eyes

THROAT CHAKRA

Throat

HEART CHAKRA

Heart

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

Stomach

SACRAL CHAKRA

Bladder

ROOT CHAKRA

Below body

PROVIDING SOLUTION THROUGH ARCHITECTURE PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE

ARCHITECTURAL EXPERIENCE

SOLUTION

See the clouds

Oculus

Rain Water Harvesting

Varuna Asi Meditation

Meditation area

Quick meditation as a reminder of required everyday actions

Ganga Jal to drink

Naturally filtered Ganga Jal

Reducing Water Foorprint

Understand flow of Ganga

Observation deck to look at flow of water

Switching to solar

Food to eat

Kitchen & bioenergy generation

Food choices and better farming methods

Restrooms

Restroom & living system

Using toilets

Bathe in naturally filtered groundwater

Bio pool

Recharging ground water

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PILGRIM ROUTE THROUGH THE VISHWANATH CORRIDOR

SECTION OF VISHWANATH CORRIDOR

20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0

Glamping Sites

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Ganga Canal

Workshop Area

PC : HCP ARCHITECTS

END GOAL OF THIS PILGRIMAGE IS FOR THE PEOPLE TO BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION

Fresh Water Pool for bathing

Amphi cum step well to recharge ground water

Stage

Water Storage Vessel

Solution Centre

All dimensions in meters 113

ABOUT AUTHOR Siddhartha Rajesh Verma is an architect based out of New Delhi, graduated from Mumbai University in 2015 and completed his Post graduation in Architecture in 2021. Son of Mr. Rajesh Verma and Mrs. Surekha Verma, he was lucky to experience the rich architectural heritage of India since a very young age because of regular transfers of his father due to a bank job and his love for travelling. He learnt the skill to sketch and design from his mother who is a qualified interior designer and has taught as art teacher in schools. In future, he plans to set up an international and inter planetary architecture practice but his first project he wished to offer to the divine as it has been an age old practice in India to offer whatever we receive to God first and then use it for ourselves. For the purpose of conceptualizing this idea he has done extensive research, personally visited• Lotus Temple, New Delhi : To understand a modern house of worship. • Golden temple, Amritsar : To see the working of the largest free community kitchen & to understand Sikh faith. • Auroville, Pondicherry : To experience a modern house of worship. • Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad: To see the benchmark set by the government.. • Ganga Temple, Gangotri : See the beginning of the mighty Ganga. • Jama Masjid, Old Delhi : To understand Islam & their way of worship. • Akshardham Temple, New Delhi: To experience a modern Hindu temple. • Water Atm, New Delhi : To see the alternative to purchasing bottled water. • Sulabh International museum, New Delhi : To understand conversion of excreta to energy. • Effluent treatment System, New Delhi : To understand waste water treatment • Nisargruna Biogas plant, Mumbai : To understand working of odourless biogas plant. • Shirdi Temple, Nasik : Working of the largest solar kitchen in the country. • IIT Delhi : To understand the working of biogas powered vehicles • Adalaj stepwells, Gujrat : To experience traditional architectural heritage related to water body. • Virasat-e-Khalsa, Punjab : To study biggest Sikh faith museum, an architectural master piece. • Public buildings,Chandigarh : To see modern architecture of Le Corbusier. • Paramarth, Rishikesh : Largest ashram on the banks of Ganga • Ramakrishna Mandir, Belur Math : Temple of amalgamation of different religious styles. • Ganga Sagar, West Bengal : To see the river merge into the ocean • Art of Living Ashram, Banglore : To discuss the idea with H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. • Bramhakumaris International headquarters, Mount Abu : Speaker at 11th Spirituality in Research conference. For more information contact Sverma42@asu.edu Thewatertemple.org

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THANK YOU!

THANK YOU! HOPE THIS INSPIRES YOU TO BE MINDFUL OF YOUR WATER FOOTPRINT.

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