Spatial Narratives of Ephemeral Tourism in India 'A Voyage through Pushkar City', India by Mayank Garg

Master Thesis Title: Spatial Narratives of Ephemeral Tourism in India: A Voyage through Pushkar City Thesis Period : December 2017- August 2018 No of Pages : 176 Mayank Garg mayankgarg416@gmail.com +44-7466128168, +91-9410891257 Mentor Team Eamonn Canniffe, Claudio Molina Camacho, James Dyson, Julie Fitzpatrick, David Chandler MA Architecture + Urbanism 2017/2018 Manchester school of architecture Manchester, August 2018 Cover image by author

Mayank Garg (Author) Mentor: Eamonn Canniffe

Claudio Molina Camacho

James Dyson

Julie Fitzpatrick

Kund: water body surrounded with the steps, generally square in shape and open to sky. Ghats: Series of steps merging into the Holy water

Preamble The traditional Urbanism of India is the celebration of life. The numerous cultural events, fairs, and festivals act as a catalyst to regenerate the traditions and activate the townscape with the colorful and sacred rituals. In India, every single element of nature is consider as the divine gift of God, which itself link every urban element to spirituality. Thus, the Ghats, stepwells or Kunds, rock-cut temples are always the most significant sources of attraction for the pilgrims all around the country. The belief in reincarnation of the soul in Hindu culture gives enormous importance to cyclic events throughout the year, which offers the tangible identity to the towns. Fairs in India have different escapade in different cities according to the context of the area and there is a massive flow of tourists during these fairs from one corner of the country to another. All of these events are sacred in a sense, but also showcases a deep hidden cultural activity of the place, captivate millions of domestic as well as the international tourist around the Hindu calendar year. Hence, the overall image of the cities in India form by the permanent and temporary infrastructure provided for the space making and the ratio between the two should be considered while proposing the future plans. This thesis explores these permanent and temporary elements, particularly for the city called Pushkar in Rajasthan, India, which is regarded as one of the major holy towns in India and also hosts a cyclic cultural fair for around two million people. The overall vision of the research and design spin around the spirit of the spaces in traditional architecture of India by using native resources and public participation. Of course, every town has its concerns which are specifically addressed to Pushkar city, through the transparent design interventions.

Acknowledgement I take the opportunity to thank the Manchester School of Architecture for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this interesting program, Architecture and Urbanism. I express my gratitude to Eamonn Canniffe and other mentors, whose valuable suggestions and diverse ideas supports me to advance my efforts throughout the sessions. Special mentions to the works and writings of two most significant pioneers of India; BV Doshi (Pritzker Prize Laureates 2018) and Charles Correa; which made a significant impact on the project to understand the Genius Loci of the cities in India. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my family, friends and valuable seniors for their constant encouragement and trust in me.

Interior

Foundation

Quick stroll

Similar Context to Audit 47

What is Gone Astray? 67

Composing the

Quest for

sacred portrait

expanse in the

Universe 73

7 The Final

Bibliography

Cruise

Appendix

108

165

Permanent experiences of citylife

/Retrieved from Storyblocks (No date) (Online)

Ephemeral experiences of culture / Retrieved from Vue India (2018) (Online)

Foundation * Opening the gateways * Exploration * Aims & Objectives * The Pilgrim Experiences * Principles of Spacemaking

Opening the gateways Diverse motion is the only legible term to describe the life in India. This motion or movement is the guideline of any activity performed by the people which naturally brings the character to the lifestyle and the architecture of the place. Diversity can be easily understand in terms of languages spoken in India, which are approximately one thousand six hundred fifty. There are differences in clothing, rituals, lifestyle, religion, dance, food, architecture, urban growth, but still, there is a hierarchy regarding occupying their spaces to perform different functions. To complement these conditions, festivals and fairs add more flavors to the space making and brings numerous tourists to experience the social gatherings during that time. The diversity also continues for the cityscape. For instance, the physical sense may be said to be very permanent and historical in Indian cities, but the experiences are kept changing like the life of a tree which sheds or grows during different seasons but lives more than hundred years. The rows of trees are reminiscent of the rows of houses on the streets which are entirely different concerning to architectural features, colors when put all together; they always cherish the experiences of the visitors passing by. This state is the motion in visual frames. The streets are also fascinating regarding holding the multi-functional activities. The area of streets in front of the house is always used by the particular households to use it for small gatherings or the encroachments of small shops during the time of festivals. People celebrated their marriage functions; long â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ratha-Yatrasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; boomed on the narrow streets gives the mesmerising appearance. Streets are the magical spaces with a small shrine or temple at the corner with a small shed to offer garlands, make the interesting combinations of life and the divine. All in all, the most profound experiences always capture the heart of the perceivers. Cities of India such as Varanasi, Pushkar, Jaipur, Agra, Srirangam etc. are the most beautiful places to explore for the tourists all around the world.

Ratha Yatra: is the public mas occured during festivals and other events in India 1

Foundation

Exploration The relationship of the transient and settled structures on the streets of India shares a balance to cater the cluster of activities and functions. This project considers this phenomenon and takes it further to the futuristic visions of the historic traditional towns of India. The research further delves into the study of a series of movements and pauses into the social gathering spaces and shelters which narrates through spatial experiences.

Aims & Objectives The primary objective of the project is to explore the permanent and temporary mediums of design to activate the public spaces in the Urbanism of Indian cities. The focus is given to the fundamental principles of space making and to the participation of public to develop their area which provides the notion of spirituality and silence in the deserts of Pushkar. The whole scheme produces a journey to attain the maximum of contextual holy fragrance and blessings.

Foundation

The Pilgrim Experiences

Tourist Circuit flows in India Major Pilgrimage city Secondary pilgrimage city Historic and monumental city

Foundation

Moksha: is the stage to attain three paths which are dharma (moral life), artha (means of life), kama (pleasure). Shakti: is the cosmic energy with dynamic forces from where the universe was born.

Indian cities emit the colossal magnetism for the tourists to participate in various celebrations for festivals or cultural events took place all around the country. The numbers are so high that most of the growth and the structure of the cities depends on them. Pilgrimage is one of the aspects of travellers to get the peace and attains ‘Moksha’. There are considerable number of fairs and events, hosts by almost every state in India, which has significance related to the Gods and heaven. Following that, there are various circuits developed related to the particular deities who are more than thirty three million in numbers according to Hindu mythology, making a journey itself. For comparison, the pilgrimage route; Camino Portugues, starts from Lisbon and after walking of six twenty kilometres in twenty-five stages ended into Santiago de Compostela. This is similar to the holy circumambulation in India in which the pilgrims try to give the maximum respect to their deity and develops the imaginative notion of the universe revolves around the central Shakti, that is, the cosmological energy ‘Sun’. The objective is to spread the education through spiritual teachings into the air of the cities and secure the sacred identity for the upcoming generations. In the above map of India, the cities marked in red are the historical pilgrimage lands dedicated to the Gods where various famous ephemeral fairs appear such as the Kumbh Mela in four different cities in the country. These fairs help to bring back the memories of the past stories written in the holy books such as Ramayana or Mahabharata as well as the cultural exhibitions of the place. Overall, the pilgrim’s experience is dynamic and colorful, and its importance should never be abandon while doing a single urban activity as the designers.

Foundation

Principles of Spacemaking

Kinesthetics

Semiotics

The episodic journey to reach the destination / Photo by Pote, S. (2013) (Online)

Use of sacred symbols to denote the spatiality and the culture of a space / Retrieved from travelmywayforless (2017) (Online)

Foundation

Principles of Spacemaking

Duality

Rajputana Architecture â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Timelessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The episodic journey to reach the destination / Photo by Peterson, L. (2016) (Online)

Use of sacred symbols to denote the spatiality and the culture of a space / Retrieved from Storyblocks (No date) (Online)

Foundation

Principles of Spacemaking

Alchemy â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cyclic Fairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Bipolarity

Dynamics of fairs to activate the city / Retrieved from NTP Tourism (2017) (Online)

The arrangement of a street with the two opposite formal and informal markets within the narrow street Retrieved from Eventseeker (No date) (Online)

Foundation

Permanency in space

Temporary for spacemaking

The historic temples are the most permanent structures exist in the cities / Photo by Siddharth (2014) (Online)

But to activate the environment as part of the journey to reach the temple, these temporary markets pooped out on the streets offering items used for rituals and the smell and visuals of these items on the street facing a temple itself makes it sacred/ Retrieved from Prasada (2016 (Online)

Foundation

Quick Stroll * Advancing to Rajasthan & Pushkar * Antiquity of Pushkar * Picture gallery * Go familiar with morphology * Basic guide to begin the journey * Put few maps in the pocket * Lets begin the journey

Advancing to Rajasthan, India

Quick Stroll

Royal Land of Rajasthan Pakistan

Rajasthan

Delhi Uttar Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh

Rajasthan is one of the most profound state in western part of India (approximately 280 miles from New Delhi) covered with vast deserts in many areas. Majorly known for the royal historical architecture in the famous Rajputana cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The maximum amount of development in the Rajasthan depends on the tourism industry. Anyone could experience the tremendous traditional cultural experiences in the form of colorful dresses, dances, music, language, hospitality.

Quick Stroll

Pick your Tourist Circuit and Put in place

There are numerous tourist circuits available for the tourists as per the time they wish to spend in the state. Mewar Circuit lies on the top of the table with around twenty-eight percent of the total tourist arrival in the circuit. The major cities come under this circuit are Ajmer and Pushkar. Both the cities have massive influence regarding significant pilgrimage lands in the country along with the rich cultural significance. Therefore, Pushkar is one of the best places to discover and analyse.

Quick Stroll

Arrive at the Pushkar

â&#x20AC;&#x153; I dive into the sea of forms hoping that I may come upon the gem of the formless.â&#x20AC;?- Rabindranath Tagore

/Retrieved from Wikiwand (No date) (Online image)

Pushkar means land of flowers, is situated between the Aravalli hills around a sacred lake. The city is considered as a starting point of the grand pilgrimage for the Hindu people. The location of this small city makes its a magical place which offers numerous facilities to the perceivers in terms of pilgrimage, culture, adventure and nature. Therefore, Pushkar is the famous destination for the tourist all around the world. The presence of the Pushkar can take us to the past. Further, the Camel Fair, appears for around seven days in November, according to the Hindu calendar, which millions of domestic and international tourists participate. This fair is one of the biggest fairs after the Kumbh Mela in India. Road Distances: Delhi to Pushkar= 258 miles Jaipur to Pushkar= 93 miles Ajmer to Pushkar= 6.2 miles Udaipur to Pushkar= 172 miles

Quick Stroll

Overview of the Pushkar city

/ Retrieved from Gagnon, B. (1996) (Online)

Quick Stroll

Antiquity of Pushkar?

Date unknown Lord Brahma invented the city

4th- 8th Century

12th Century

Hun invansion & Pushkar was ruined

Chauhan rule & Renaissance in Pushkar

The antiquity of Pushkar goes back to the Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages or even before that. The actual date of the evolution of the city is still unknown, but it is said that the town was formed by the Lord ‘Brahma’ to perform a ritual: ‘Yagna’ in the city. Afterwards, there are stories of Hun invasion in the fourth century and the city was completely destroyed. Pushkar is this old; however, one would not find many old structures as the place suffers from a series of constructions and destructions during many centuries, but the spirit of the place was never destroyed, which reminds the past stories through the natural and man-made environment. The city is well-known for the rulers after the rule of Chauhan’s in the area. Jahangir, one of the influential rulers of the Mughal empire, also ruled the place and brought significant destruction to remove the traces of Hinduism and then finally, Rajputana rulers occupy the area and their constructions are still visible at the present city infrastructure. The impressive architectural features like Jharokhas, Jaalis, Chattri, double projected aedicule, spaces for paradise in white stucco plaster gives the mesmerising skyline to the city.

16th- 18th Century Massive destruction during Mughal rule

18th- 19th Century Rajput & Maratha additions

Mid twenteenth Century Part of Rajasthan state

Yajna: is the ritual performed for the worship in front of sacred fire Jharokhas: is the overhanging in the windows Jaali: is the perforations in the stone in some geometric patterns Chattri: is the canopy type structure in the Indian architecture

Quick Stroll

Picture Gallery

Image of Pushkar by Frances Young Waugh, 1829

Pilgrims houses in 1928 /Retrieved from Columbia.edu (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Image by Pushkar by Marianne North, 1878

Brahma Temple in 1928 /Retrieved from Columbia.edu (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Madhya Pushkar

Budha Pushkar

Early twenteenth century plan

2001 Population: 14,791

Quick Stroll

Go Familiar with Morphology

Radial growth around one side of Holy lake

Further expansion around the temple

2017 Population: 25,820

Quick Stroll

Street

Houses

Temple

Str

Houses

Street

Houses

r St

Temple Town Culture Pushkar grows similar to other temple towns in India. First the temples were placed by Gods and then the temporary commercial shops poop out from the street in an organic manner and then the congested houses afterwards.

Quick Stroll

eet

Houses

Basic guides to begin the journey: Climate

Semi Arid Climate (Hot & Dry summer and cool winter) Hottest Month May and June: 45 ยบC - 22 ยบC

The weather of Pushkar is hot and dry due to its west areas which are the part of the vast Thar desert. Therefore, the use of shading devices are very familiar to the local people by using the transient materials. The major concern is the direction of the wind which is approaching towards the city.

Coldest Month Dec to feb: 25 ยบC - 8 ยบC Monsoon July to Aug: 400-600 mm Wind Direction South west- North east

Quick Stroll

Sand dunes at the edge of the city

Like any other spaces in the city, the vast sand in the deserts reflects the sacredness and the royal cultural fragrances to the visitors. The highly compressed city infrastructure suddenly opens in this vast desert gives an opportunity for the local people to use that as their primary public spaces. The Fairground or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Maidaanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is the main focal point from where the activities spread out into the deserts.

Retrieved from shutterstock (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

“When one get the pause in his life, sand dunes are in continuous motion”

/Retrieved from Pushkarcamps.com (No date) (Online image)

In 1878, Louis Rousselet recorded, “On the 11th April we marched towards Poshkur, a sacred oasis situated on the edge of the desert.. It is impossible to imagine a more striking contrast than that which existed between this paranoma and the country which met our eye view on the other side of the defile. Hills of sand rise on all sides up to the very summit of the Aravallis, and seem as though endeavoring to cross this barrier, which alone prevents them from overrunning the valley of Ajmere; the desert stretches to the horizon; and here and there jagged peaks, blackened as if by fire, break the monotony of its undulating surface.”

Quick Stroll

Species in Pushkar

‘Plants and flowers’

The name of Pushkar itself derived from the word ‘Push’ which means Pushpa or flower. The city is famous for its Lotus and rose cultivations around the periphery and is renowned as the centre for ‘Gulkand’ means a paste made from rose petals.

Retrieved from shutterstock (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Species in Pushkar

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Native Treesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The holy city of Pushkar is connected to vast deserts at one side, but there are substantial green areas on the other three sides. There are few trees such as Banyan, Neem tree, Peepal, etc., which spread around the city and worship by the pilgrims. At the same time, these trees provide a shaded space for communication and sharing the thoughts. Further, there are Fig and Thorn trees spread in the city.

Photo from Gulati, A (2018) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Species in Pushkar

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Birdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Birds and animals got the abundant natural resources for their habitat, though, the weather is a bit hot in the city. Darters, Indian eagle-owls, rose, ring parakeets, large egret, Indian peacocks, Indian pond heron, etc. are some of the famous birds seen in the city.

Retrieved from timestravel (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Put few maps in the Pocket

Tourist Guide Map

If coming by road from Ajmer

Existing circuit around the lake connected to the fair ground. / Retrieved from Teerth Camp (No date) (Online)

Quick Stroll

To ne ka Bi r Agricultural Belt

If coming by train

Existing fair ground

n tio ta

s ay w l ai

Holy surface 12 Thar Desert

The planning of Pushkar is very mixed in functions. Therefore, one may get the accommodation and shops very quickly anywhere in the city. There are more accommodations available towards the road connecting the Ajmer and the residential areas are situated more towards the railway station. 27

Savitri Hill

Danguri Hills

To Pu Bu sh d ka ha r

Land use Plan

Aravalli Hills

Ajm To If coming by road from Ajmer

Lake areaHectares

Pushkar Rural (Agricultural Belt)

Naag Hills

Fair Ground

If coming by train

Shri Kapaleshwar Temple

Brahma Temple

There are more than five hundred temples in Pushkar which give the imaginary zoning in the city. Each area around the particular temple has its values and also establishes the relationship to the overall environment. There are around fifty-two Ghats available at the Pushkar lake for the Holy bath which also bisects the city for the movement. Bus stations are situated at the edges of the main highway; therefore, the main crowd entered into the city through the highway connecting the railway, bus stations and private vehicles. 29

Savitri Temple

Activities in the city Temple

Water body

Ashram

Desert

Hotels

Green areas

Temporary camps

Hills

Schools

Railway line

Government building Ghats B

Bus station

If coming by road from Ajmer

Pushkar Lake

Lets begin the journey

Highway through Aravalli hills from Ajmer to reach the Pushkar

The entrance of the city is marked with the gateway made through multifoil arches and Rajputana domes in two sides.

Quick Stroll

View of the central holy lake surrounded by two storey structure in white stucco plaster to beat the amount of heat from the sun.

The transitional ghats which bring the pilgrims near to the lake. Small temples are erected on these ghats to develop the series of pauses in the inclined movement.

Retrieved from Rajasthanvisit.com (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Retrieved from Rajasthanvisit.com (No date) (Online image)

The Brahma Temple, which is the only temple in the world dedicated to the creator of the earth: Lord Brahma. Pilgrims coming to Pushkar, visit the temple after the holy bath in a lake and perform the rituals. The entrance is again connected with urban staircases to create a journey and spatial experience before entering into the temple.

Other temples are also part of the rich cultural heritage of the city. Rangji temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu also houses a large number of pilgrims all around the country. / Photo by Bhansali, M. (2014) (Online)

Retrieved from pushkarcamelfair.com (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Retrieved from panoramio (2014) (Online image)

Top of the Mountains are also enriched with historical sacred temples such as the Savitri Mata Temple. Journey to reach the top of the mountain juxtaposes to the otherwise journey to reach the lake through the series of steps descending into the water.

Commercial streets in the Sadar market area in Pushkar. The colorful clothing is coming out of the permanent line of houses. Shades are derived from long cloths.

Retrieved from tourmyindia. com (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Retrieved from keywordsuggest.org (No date) (Online image)

The experiences in the city are cyclic according to the climate and season. The image is the scene during the Kite festival.

Rituals and Yatras on the narrow streets make them the multi-functional public spaces of the cities.

Retrieved from gettyimages (No date) (Online image)

Retrieved from thelandofwanderlust.com (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

The facades of the houses with different colors and architectural features make the scenes of street extremely diverse.

There is a world within a world in Indian Urbanism. This is the scene of kund hidden in the enclosed walls around the streets.

Image by Mellor, A. , Retrieved from Shutterstock (2017) (Online image)

Retrieved from Shutterstock (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

And reaches the Ephemeral City of Pushkar: Camel Fair The Pushkar fair is one of the biggest fairs in India for five hundred thousand people in seven days during November. The fair is known for the cultural events among International tourists and hosts the biggest live animal stocking fair in the world. The overall experience of the fair is mesmerising and exhibit the traditional character of the place. There are around sixty-five thousand people stay in the deserts during the fair of Pushkar. The primary objective of the fair is to encourage the social interactions and pilgrimage in the city.

Existing map of the temporary city

Approximate desert area= 100 hectares Length of fair= 7 days during November Population= 65,000 residents Total Footfall= 5,00,000 39

Quick Stroll

Strolling the fair

The street at the edge of the city flourishes as the central walking edge of the cyclic fair with millions of people

The absolute chaos with the mixture of swings, camel walks and colossal population

Image by Singhaniya, A. (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Image by Singhaniya, A. (No date) (Online image)

The inside of the fairground which itself like a planet in a universe

Exhibition of the local traditions in fair ground attracting the tourists around the city

Retrieved from rajasthantourismbuzz (2015) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Retrieved from thrillophilia (No date) (Online image)

Air balloons and diverse activities in the fair ground

View from the hills showing the settlements coming around the fair ground as the main resource

Image by Ahmad, S., Retrieved from Quora (2017) (Online image)

Image by Manorlt, Retrieved from Brooklyn meets Bombay (2011) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

The tented accommodations with colorful cloths where people and animals live together.

The sheds for the horses and camels for the livestocking in the deserts

Retrieved from gettyimages (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Retrieved from indoasiajourney.com (No date) (Online image)

Main streets in the temporary city to access the shelters in the desert

The temporary shopping streets erected in the sand dunes with the colorful decorations of cloth

Image by Sapna (2016) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Water bodies to serve the water needs of animals

Permanent camping site experience in the midst of the deserts with shading devices

Retrieved from Wikimedia.com (No date) (Online image)

Retrieved from thrillophilia (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Air balloons and diverse activities in the fair ground

View from the hills showing the settlements coming around the fair ground as the main resource

Image by Ahmad, S., Retrieved from Quora (2017) (Online image)

Image by Manorlt, Retrieved from Brooklyn meets Bombay (2011) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

The tented accommodations with colorful cloths where people and animals live together.

The sheds for the horses and camels for the livestocking in the deserts

Retrieved from gettyimages (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Retrieved from indoasiajourney.com (No date) (Online image)

Main streets in the temporary city to access the shelters in the desert

The temporary shopping streets erected in the sand dunes with the colorful decorations of cloth

Image by Sapna (2016) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Water bodies to serve the water needs of animals

Permanent camping site experience in the midst of the deserts with shading devices

Retrieved from Wikimedia.com (No date) (Online image)

Retrieved from thrillophilia (No date) (Online image)

Quick Stroll

Similar context to audit * Kumbh mela, Allahabad, India * Burning man, the black rock city, Nevada, USA * Piazza inferiore di san francesco, Assissi, Italy

Where are we now?

Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, India

Retrieved from GSD Urban India Project (2013) (Online image)

Temporary districts on the basin of river Ganges Retrieved from The Week Magazine (2018) (Online image)

Similar context to audit

Kumbh mela, Allahabad, India Total land area- 1940 Hectares (Equivalent to Westminster area) Population- 7 million Total sectors- 14 (markets & offices are integrated in each sector) Life of city- 55 days

Kumbh Mela is the biggest temporary fair appears after every four years in four different cities one after the other according to the Hindu mythology. The biggest of them appears in Allahabad in the basin of the river Ganges near the intersection of holy river Ganga, Yamuna and mythically Saraswati. Around one twenty million people appear for the holy bath in the river to get away from the sins and to cherish with some spiritual teachings in the social gathering spaces in between the camps in the temporary city. The city is divided into fourteen sectors in a grid-iron system which must be inspired from the working of Le Corbusier in India. However, each sector has its own world of the planning of tents or other spaces required. This study helps to understand the behaviour of the people towards developing their shelters with the amount of freedom given by the authorities.

Similar context to audit

Fabricate and Eradicate The very first image when the water level reduced in the river Ganges and basin is formed near the intersection of the three rivers 1

The next layer is adding the cloth on the bamboo structures as per the theme designed in the particular sector. 6

The next stage is the levelling the site and to be made available for the evolution of the temporary city

Laying services ground tions of on the streets 7

Afterwards, metals roads are laid down to divide the site into sectors and makes it available for further development. 3

8 In every sector, pilgrims start demarking their spaces and design their own sectors.

Overview of the city fully constructed and occupied by the pilgrims. The design gets to keep changing every time in Kumbh as the size of the basin is changing. Linear arrangement for the planning of tents in particular sector which juxtaposes with other sectors where the organic layout is followed.

9 Bringing the structures made from bamboo and wooden planks for the shelters.

down the under the and addilamp posts temporary erected.

Retrieved from GSD Urban India Project (2013) (Online image) Similar context to audit

Finally, the city structure is eradicated and the only left is the grid-iron layout to be used for agricultural land divisions for farmers. 10

Highly dense camping sectors with the narrow streets reminiscent of the layout of the traditional streets in India

/ Retrieved from Academia (2016) (Online image)

Tents are erected using the bamboo, cloths and ropes highlighted with the lamp posts in the night Retrieved from GSD Urban India Project (2013) (Online image)

Similar context to audit

Social spacemaking in the Kumbh Mela

The temporary pontoon bridges to connect the site with the city / Retrieved from Intangible heritage culture (No date) (Online)

The shopping experience with the temporary shops made from the wooden plinths

Cooking by the families in open spaces

Social gatherings in the fair as the huge public spaces for spiritual teachings

Similar context to audit

Where are we?

Burning man, Black rock city, Nevada, USA

/Retrieved from CNN Style (2018) (Online image) 53

Burning man, Nevada, USA

Total land area- 600 Hectares Population- 70,000 people Shape & Objective- Circular & Good living & Social interactions

/Retrieved from Uncova (2017) (Online image)

In the middle of nowhere, there is an exotic event organised annually in the deserts of black rock city in Nevada, United States. It is the platform to showcase the talent of the artists all around the world. The whole festival is based on ten principles to expand the socialism and the symbolic ritual burning of a vast timber statue that conventionally appears on Saturday night of the festival. There are numerous exhibitions of artistic expressions which includes interactive sculptures, buildings, performances, etc. The people erect the temporary accommodations to gain maximum interactions with each other.

Similar context to audit

Kumbh mela Burning man

70,000 people

Comparing the scale of the Burning man with Kumbh Mela gives that the site of Burning man is approximately one-third of the Kumbh Mela but in terms of the population, Burning manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population is hundred times lesser than the Kumbh Mela. This shows the openness of the festival and maximum land utilised for social gatherings.

/Retrieved from burningman.org (2016) (Online image)

The map above shows the layout of the temporary city with the areas marking as per their eradication time, which is the primary fundamental of this city to leave no traces on the site. The circular streets bisected with the radial main street taking into the centre give the spaces for plazas and open spaces to create a certain pause for interaction. The boundaries are protected with the fencing in polygon at a certain distance from the settlements so that one may not lose his direction. Overall, the idea of radial growth around the main sculpture in the centre, similar to the royal planning of Paris and New Delhi to create the avenues, helps to understand the behaviour of urban settlements which needs a focal point to spread around. 55

Similar context to audit

Process of Ephemeral city formation

The first stage is the development of circular shape while the one quadrant is left open as it is the direction of prevailing winds.

Then the axis is derived for the access into the centre of the plan

The other main roads are derived radially passing through the central sculpture

The secondary streets are added in the plan to develop the spaces for the shelters

Further, the site is divided into the districts for zoning the facilities

At last, the equipment are added at different locations in the map to give a number of focal points to gatherings and also helps with the orientation

The study of the evolution of the site infrastructure provides the essential elements required to start the planning. Focal points, axis, zoning and social spaces are significant requirements to assign and formulate in the temporary cities, which itself gives options for people to make their shelters. Similar context to audit

Design of districts

Settlement of public equipments and spaces

Settlement of shelters

Seats

The planning of the district starts with the social spaces and then the shelters are added into the left spaces. Social spaces include the seating spaces, shaded and open zones for maximum interactions among the people. The vision looks similar to the set up of Kumbh Mela where social gatherings are an essential aspect to design the sectors for the shelters.

Similar context to audit

Overview of the city where formal and informal spaces are designed together Retrieved from Intellect and art (2015) (Online image)

Similar context to audit

Image by Jordahn, S. (2017) (Online image)

The vast open avenues takes to the central space as the main focal point to reach the destination Retrieved from Pinsdaddy.com (No date) (Online image)

Similar context to audit

Where are we?

Piazza Inferiore Di San Francesco, Assissi, Italy

Retrieved from Juzaphoto.com (No Date) (Online image)

Piazza Inferiore Di San Francesco, Assissi, Italy

Total land area- 3150 Sq m Architecture Style- Renaissance & Italian Gothic Function- 75 shops for social gatherings

Image by Studio LS, Retrieved from archilovers (2013) (Online image)

The great restoration project of the plaza connecting the lower and upper basilica of San Francesco is the significant element of the pilgrimage hill of the basilica to create a journey to nourish the pilgrims before entering into the main space. The series of arcades are developed to use as a shaded device for the temporary commercial shops, which give another layer of a life-giving element to the plaza. At one point, these arcades protect the space from the outside world and at another point, the vast open piazza space in the blue sky gives the spatial notion to the overall experience of the place.

Similar context to audit

“Every concelebration that will take place in the Piazza is a sign of blessing and hope, because this great heritage of faith can be a treasure for those who visit Assisi” This is the renewal of the vision of St. Francis who then told his first companions: “I saw a multitude of men come to us .... the noise of their coming and going still resounds in my ears.I saw the streets crowded with them coming from almost all nations: Frenchmen, Spaniards, Germans, Englishmen come in ... the crowd of other languages arrives “.

Image by Studio LS, Retrieved from archilovers (2013) (Online image) Similar context to audit

Image by Studio LS, Retrieved from archilovers (2013) (Online image)

The material and pattern used for the pedestrian are quite ecumenical and symbolic of the history of the place. The lines of stones in rough white and pink texture are similar to the stones in caves on adjacent sides of the town. The pattern sets up the rhythm and motion which terminate into the basilica. The thresholds in the form of arcades seem generous and spiritual which is creating a world within a world.

Similar context to audit

Assissi Piazza arcade system

Mughals arcade system

The thresholds are similar to the arcades used by the Mughals or Rajputs in their courtyards or at the peripheries of the forts to control the edges of the kingdoms. This system is story-telling and can be multifunctional.

Similar context to audit

What is gone astray in Pushkar? * Swot analysis * Secondary data * Inferences

“The existence of God’s depends on the imagination of human being.”

What is gone astray

Swot analysis

Strength

Weakness

* Religious & Cultural Significance of the city * Ecosystem of a city: Lake, Hills and Desert * International Cattle Fair * Farms of flowers * Local skills of people in handicrafts

* Floating Population throughout the year * Civic Infrastructure of city * Lack of Public spaces near the lake * Lack of Parikrama path around the temporary city * Unorganised Parking system * Linkage to places of interest * Insufficient space for accommodation during fairs

Opportunity

Threats

* More tourist activities * Conservation of Natural Resources * Growth in Handicraft and garment sectors * Focus towards Eco-Tourism * Redesigning the Fairground

* Environmental Degradation of Natural resources * Pollution in Holy Lake * Population growth during fair * Unprotected edges of the city towards the sand dunes

What is gone astray

Secondary data

Role of Tourism in Daily Life

Tourism in Pushkar made a huge impact on the economy of the city where people depend on their earnings from the fair or during the other tourist activities in a year. In comparison, almost ninety-five percent of the youth have a very high dependence on the tourism. They also learn different languages to communicate with the international tourists. Merchants and especially males in the city lies second in the table whose dependence on tourism is more than three-fourths of their population.

Tourist Arrival Forecast Looking into the future of the city in terms of tourism, which seems very bright, by 2021, it is expected that the total tourists visiting the Holy Land will be more than two million. However, the numbers of domestic tourist will increase considerably to 1.9 million, but the international tourist will remain almost constant at around a hundred thousand.

What is gone astray

Secondary data

Overnight stay tourists Considering the ratio of the tourists who spent at least a night in Pushkar, the maximum numbers are there in the month of August to November. However, the numbers are constant for international tourists from October to January. Overall by 2021, the tourists will reach up to hundred thousand during the time of fair and otherwise the population will stay around thirty thousand.

Bedding statistics

The bedding statistics discuss the difference between the present and futuristic requirement of the bedding in the city. There will be around twenty-thousand beds required by 2021 during the time of the year when fair statistics are not included. During the time of the fair, the bedding requirements would become six times the present situation. Therefore, a lot more permanent and temporary accommodations required.

What is gone astray

The fairground location needs to be adDressed and should be relocated at some respectable place. The location of a fairground is near to the highway connecting Ajmer and Pushkar which creates a Chaos during the time of the event

Lack of Permanent social gathering spaces

Fair Ground

Lack of focal points or centers to give orientation to the Temporary shelters

d an s ing nd k ta ty a e r a e ci sed s h ind ds t dres w g war e ad n i l ai s to to b v e Spiritual Journey Pr dune eds ne missing in the

desert temporary city 71

Inferences can be made after the quick stroll

There are no spaces available for permanent exhibitions of art

The existing tourist halts are isolated

Lack of futuristic opportunities for the youth in terms of infrastructure To Ajmer

Lesser number of Permanent accommodations for tourists

There are no provisions to control the future growth of the city which brings a reduction in the agricultural lands What is gone astray

Composing the sacred portrait of Pushkar * Should be an action plan * Responding with Methodology * Notions of relevance

Increasing the permanence of the temporary city in the form of social facilities which can also give the employment to the local folks

Spreading the education the historic town through

More permanent facilities to support the tourism in the deserts

Interpreting the culture architectural sp

More diversity in functions and platforms for exhibiting the local art

The journey and the moveme Storytelling

Composing the sacred portrait

Should be an action plan

among the tourists about movements and pauses

e in the paces

ents should be

Promoting the sustainability to control the limits of the town

Futuristic planning of the town by giving the directions for growth

Environmental conservation to protect the natural gift of the God

Composing the sacred portrait

Increasing the permanence of the temporary city in the form of social facilities which can also give the employment to the local folks

Relocating the Fairground â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Maidaanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to increase the efficiency and adding the spiritual significance

Adding thresholds to the sand dunes with a series of wall perforated to handle the various functions

Composing the sacred portrait

Spreading the education the historic town through

Museum and art centre and creating the open within the

Journey to paradise the monuments and

Responding with methodology

among the tourists about movements and pauses

experience spaces construction

connecting facilities

Promoting the sustainability to control the limits of the town

Planning the area for the hotels and adjust in a way that it can support the future additions in the desired direction

More green spaces around the city with lotus and rose gardens

Composing the sacred portrait

Main Potential areas in the city

The primary intent is to identify a system of order in between the disorder of the layout. The lake is the main centre to orient the growth of the city, therefore the cosmological axes are derived starting from the centre of the lake and passing through the major temples of the city. This gives the imaginary connections to the historic places in the plan and establish a framework to develop the other land following these axes. 77

Composing the sacred portrait

Notions of relevance The journey of the Holy town is not completed yet as the fragmented parts of the city are discovered and needs to be addressed, then only the cycle of death and rebirth which is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nirvanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; will be fulfilled. When we study the master plan of the city, the first stage is to identify the central potential zones in the city to reconsider and provide the desired activities in them. Apparently, the mightly desert area, where the Transient city is evolving, is the most favourite space to light on and the other vacant lands are also addressed. Nirvana: is the state of full attainment of the needs and desires of human

Composing the sacred portrait

Inverse Cosmos axis

Fair Ground

The location of the fairground is decided to be a part of the cosmological axis and giving the notion of relevance to the existence of the ground.

Cosmos axis to the sky

Brahma Temple

The camping experience is nourished with the permanent structure following the context of the place near to the railway station, the main road and near to the fairground.

Brahma Temple

Reserved camping is for tents during the time of fair and adding the oasis in the sand for the orientation and focal points for the growth

Composing the sacred portrait

Art and performing center to connect the existing walking circuit with the circuit of transient city

Inverse Cosmos axis

Holy Lake

The addition of step Kund as the public square for the zone of hotels and Dharamshalas so that this area should grow towards the district of Madhya and Budha Pushkar which are isolated from the main city at the moment

Lake

Farmlands of lotus and roses in the vacant lands of the city and discovering a spaces to hide and think

Removing the Hotels and accommodations from this area and convert into dense green covers and farms where existing temples will be hidden

Composing the sacred portrait

Dharamshala: are the religious rest houses in India

The present situation has no protection from the sand dunes which are approaching towards the settlements and bringing a lot of sand and dust

2 Adding a protective wall and extending the city into the deserts to create a space for the episodic journey

The fairground at the centre of the extended boundaries of the city around the protective wall to develop an enclosed space. 81

Composing the sacred portrait

Stages of reconciling

4 The boundaries around the ground open more towards the deserts to create the semi-enclosed space for the animal live stocking. The start and the termination are enhanced with the architectural elements.

The protective wall or the arcades convert into the central connective element for the whole development. It gives the dedicated spaces for shaded paths, shopping streets, gateways, museum experience, stands for the animal exhibition, enclosed meditation spaces, health care, amenities and existing historic structures. This feature of the wall is similar to the multifunctional street of traditional India.

100

T- Temple TF- Tourist facility M- Museum experience A- Amenities (Toilets) E- Entrances & gateways C- Camping experience Composing the sacred portrait

The temporary camping connections in a group of tents forming around the central oasis in the sand. The realm of celestial movements on the vast deserts is established by controlling the imaginary connections, revolving around the head of the universe.

The community or the social space is an important feature which brings the interactions through private, semi-private or public areas.

Composing the sacred portrait

Early conceptual visuals

Walk around the series of openings in the protective wall for shops and amenities which sometimes takes the visitor to the historic temples of the city. One may never feel lost in the city.

The mythological axis brings the visitor into the fairground which is below the ground to replicate the character of the Holy Lake. The existence of a fairground is no more mundane and has a unique role in connection to the overall city. Composing the sacred portrait

The facilities blocks are itself like a traditional bungalow in India with the courtyard and maximum green spaces. The entrance is marked with the symbolic notions of Hindu culture as a reflection of present thresholds in Pushkar.

Gardens in the land of Lord ‘Brahma’ symbolising his presence with a formation of ‘Bindu’, which is said to be pivotal to all creation of the universe. 85

Composing the sacred portrait

Quest for expanse in the universe * Get the direction * Master Plan * The circuit diagram * The visual frames * Getting more familiar

“The sediments are a sort of epic poem of the Earth. When we are wise enough, perhaps we can read in them all of past history.” Rachel Carson, The Sea Around Us

"An idea is salvation by imagination" -Frank LLoyd Wright

Quest for expanse in the universe

Get the direction

Quest for expanse in the universe

Master plan

Legend: 1. Ticketing and Registration Area 2. submerged permanent accommodations for visitors 3. Permanent Common living areas for visitors 4. Existing Temples 5. Submerged Exhibition Area as the first Pause 6. Enclosed Plaza as a commercial street 7. Health care Facility 8. Information centre 9. Museum 10. Arcades as the threshold to the temporary city 11. Submerged Fair Ground 12. Extension of the Fair ground 13. Area for Livestocking of Animals 14. Multi-purpose facility with the roof as the Viewing point of the Deserts 15. Temple as the vertical Enclosed space 16. Threshold with the Bamboo farming 17. Oasis in the deserts giving the points of Existence for the temporary city 90

The circuit diagram

tpa r ea linhe ded a in e t sha esapos he e tr xt s t heo juring s t f t b se t oern and pau u yo text La nt co

Visual frames and sacred geometric axis

The a Kapa xis crossin g les entat hwar Tem the lake an ion to p d the sm le gives th e a o ll wa riin the deser ter bodies t

The water bodies in the sand gives way to temporary tents formation various patterns

The first visual point is the start point of the walkway into the desert in search of paradise, which welcomes the visitors to the historic Kapaleshwar temple to get the blessings of the almighty God.

The next pause is the hidden exhibition space in between the dense trees of Neem and Banyan which are the symbol of spirituality in Hindu tradition. The principle of hiding the entrances provokes the visitors to go inside and discover themselves.

This frame gives the view to the dense shopping experience of traditional Pushkar inside a wall or arcade which still maintained the secret of the vast Thar desert. The series of openings into the walls develop the movement and nourishes the mind of the perceiver into the colorful experiences of Pushkar.

The fourth frame is the entrance to the fairground, which is under the ground, marked by a ramp in between the rows of trees and lotus gardens. The experience of going down is reminiscent of the walk into the traditional stepwell in search of pure water. Here, the water is replaced with the exotic activities and events during the Pushkar fair; however, both are magical.

The central stage of the fairground which is like a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Binduâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or Point, which is the inventor of the universe. An urban staircase is provided with two platforms as a higher stage to interact with the crowd on the ground.

Quest for expanse in the universe

4 5

The Frames

The sixth frame is another enclosure where the protecting walls from both sides come closer and open into the linear layout of the trees and the extension of the fair in a straight line. This is the point of transition in the activity and the shielded walls is converted into the stands of animals for live stocking.

Then the centre of the submerged extension of the fair facing towards the amphitheater whose end is concealed. The hindrance created by the amphitheater also protects the view of sacred â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Templeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the end. Therefore, this provokes the people to take the inclined route through the top of the amphitheater to identify the next surprises.

This pause is the viewing deck to look back into the magnified view of the city. This deck is the adequate space to control the minds of the perceivers where they start connecting themselves with the brilliance of Pushkar.

9 10

While walking along the inclined axis, one must assume to see the vast sand dunes, but he intersects with the water body with a platform to reach the platform in the end. At this point, the whole development is revealed with the temple in the front and the deserts afterwards.

This is the termination of the journey in the form of the hidden temple. After gaining enormous memories, this is the point to relax and accumulate the richness into the brain and heart.

Quest for expanse in the universe

Getting more familiar with new additions Permanent accommodations near the main highway

The idea of scooping the sand is to develop the open public space in the form of a huge amphitheater. Also, the location of the development is connected to the existing structures of the city which are very empowering, therefore, these cave-like structures resembling the Ellora caves in India, give respect to the context and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disturb their existence. Further, the shelters under the ground also get the shielding of the earth from the extreme sunrays of the hot climate of Pushkar. Plan at Lvl -3600 The first level below the ground where the large five halls are provided for group accommodations.

The material is derived from the sand itself by moulding it into the form required and convert it into sandstone through a biological reaction with bacteria. The flooring is done with the mixture of china mosaic and marble chips.

-3600 -7200 -10800

Hall

Li gh

Hall Hall

Quest for expanse in the universe

Plan at Lvl -7200

Plan at Lvl -10800

The middle level where the distinct size seven halls are provided to keep the floor level to appear like a semi-enclosed space.

The lowermost level of the shelters opens into the plaza. There are eight halls provided at this level which are smaller in size so that this space would become the most enclosed space.

Section Reversing the Axis Mundi in the ground opens the surrounding spaces which are otherwise very congested.

Mundi: is the cosmic axis which establish the connection between Heaven and Earth Quest for expanse in the universe

Getting more familiar with new additions The hidden halls of meditation The hidden halls of meditation just behind the permanent accommodations are the sacred halls under the ground. Every hall is enormous to promote the shared living and bringing them natural resources close to the people to get the maximum attainment.

Plan at Lvl -3600

The materials are the same as the permanent accommodations such as sandstone and China mosaic for flooring.

-3600

Quest for expanse in the universe

Chakra: are the focal points of the subtle human body related to the celestial universe

the base chakra This chakra is reflecting the circle of the earth on the long base for seating. The red glass in the centre emphasizing the capital of the column like a base.

the sacred chakra This chakra is reflecting the magical world in the form of dense flower garden in an open cut-out space.

the solar plexus chakra Adding a skylight to get the sunlight inside the hall to establish a long-term intimate relationship with nature.

the Heart chakra The heart chakra which is gateway to the soul is presented with the seating plinth inside the circular arrangement of neem and banyan tree.

the third eye chakra The third eye chakra for the intense thinking activated through blue translucent sphere in between the two circular rings.

the crown chakra At the stage of this chakra, perceiver filled with the emptiness which resonates with the black colored varying sized free standing columns in the water body.

Section The section through the solar plexus chakra where the skylight in the centre of the hall bringing the holy light for the spiritual attainment.

Quest for expanse in the universe

100

Getting more familiar with new additions Tie up the journey with generous perforated walls

T T walls. erti cal t from v f i g a s a Extended shaded area Plinths

The protective walls are staggered to serve both sides in the desert and creating a continuous shaded walk for the tourists around the area of fair. Only the plinths are provided along the walls in the groups of four to five, where the shopkeepers are free to use that space as per their requirement. The adjacent plinths have different heights to distinguish the area.

Seating space

Shop

Walkway

The defensive walls against the movement of sand dunes are the proactive backdrop to the shops in the form of the extended plinth and the seating spaces from another side. The roof structure is not provided in the commercial area and walkway. The shopkeepers will use their traditional skills and develop the temporary shed using the bamboo and colorful clothes.

Toilet

Walkway

Shop

After every hundred meters in length in the arcades, there is an amenity block for services. The grounded area extends to the roof of the arcade as a viewing deck for the great deserts.

101

Quest for expanse in the universe

T T T T T T

The walls as the stands for the animal livestocking during the time of fair. For the rest of the year, these spaces could be used as a resting space for the dwellers. The amenities block is following the length of the walls after every hundred meters.

The thick walls are dividing the space for the exhibitions of animals. The fountains are projecting out of the walls serving the water requirements for the animals. Still, there is no structural roof given to space and traditional colorful clothes is used for the sheds.

Material for the walls and plinths is the sandstone with ornamental traditional paintings of Rajasthan. Quest for expanse in the universe

102

Getting more familiar with new additions Solids as health care, museum and information center Voids as Courtyards

Courtyards

space protected inside the arcades

Deductions

Shop

103

Health Care

Courtyard

Healing center

Courtyard

Quest for expanse in the universe

Information Center

Courtyard

At the entrance of the plaza, the walls give the enclosure to the museum followed by the information center and health care center. The overall structure is kept below the height of existing buildings in Pushkar which helps to hide the complex from the outside world. The amount of mass excluded divides the space into three zones and the empty space is treated as the celestial courtyard. In the museum block, the hemispherical space is derived in the centre of the courtyard which is open to the sky for the open discussions and generous interactions. The information center in the middle accessed through the perforated walls has two sections, the front block is public space and the adjacent block is the private working space for the staff. The healthcare center is derived like a long nave with the series of rooms and the healing center coming into the middle of the courtyard.

Museum

Courtyard

Upside down Urban Sitting

Courtyard

Quest for expanse in the universe

Museum

Shops

104

Getting more familiar with new additions Moving towards the end or the new beginning Vastu Shastra: is the mathematics in Hindu mythology used for the architectural design guidelines in India. Mandapa: is the pillared hall in front of the main temple Garbhgriha: is the enclosed space where the deity is placed

After the walk with full of colors and chaos, this region of the project brings the enclosed spaces to give a pause and silence to the perceiver so that they could gather their memories and get energised. The extension of the fair space ends into the huge amphitheater which is going above the ground level for this time so that it could hide the spaces behind this block. When one starts moving upwards in search of the vast deserts through the amphitheater, he gets surprised with the water body at the end of the block. Below the deck, the big enclosed hall used for the common dining during the fair and then as the community hall for marriages and festivals. After taking an exit from the stone louvres of the hall, one would find himself back into the rich sacred notions of Holy city Pushkar. The big rough stone inside a pond welcomes him with a bridge. The temple which is based on traditional ‘Vastu-Shastra’, doesn’t reveal its brilliance at the entrance. After moving along the pedestrian between the two walls, which is very narrow, he suddenly reaches the space called ‘Mandapa’: the prayer hall. The Mandapa hall has most lavish granite flooring and a seating protruding out of the inner wall. The Garbhgriha where the deity is placed lies between the centre of the inner walls filled with the holy water and the skylight above this water connects the two worlds of sky and earth. The end is protected with the bamboo fencing, which opens at one point to give access to the deserts. There are between cavities in these bamboo walls to create the spaces for meditation and salvation.

Sand Dunes

105

Main shrine

Central hall

Entry

Sacred water

En t to ry/ de E xi t se rt

Ledge in the wall to sit and think

Bamboo Fencing Termination of the and hidden meditaJourney tion Cavities with a Temple

The freestanding sandstone in the middle of the imaginary sacred water in the form of a star, which is the symbol of binding the spiritual cosmos. The temple is accessed through the bridge with a small opening in the sandstone cuboid.

Bamboo wall as the destination

Quest for expanse in the universe

The intersection of the past and the present by the idea of returning back to the holy temple and enclosed meditation spaces at the end of the journey is actually the beginning, not the end.

Space for services

Space for services -2700 lvl

00 lvl

Multi Purpose hall

Space for services

Multipurpose hall for Communal Gatherings and Dining facilities

The multi-functional hall below the amphitheater and the viewing decks is the enclosed communal space between the two layers of sandstone wall and the glass wall. The water body in the form of a traditional â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with seating spaces for conversations, is provided in the centre of the hall. At the Mezzanine level, restaurants and food court are planned which are accessed through the amphitheater and the circular staircases connecting to the hall.

Quest for expanse in the universe

106

Temple Celestial pond

Celestial pond

Celestial pond Garbhgriha Cyclic r Se

g atin

ou te

Mandapa

Entry

Se ating

Cyc

te lic Rou

Holy Water

Celestial pond

Mandapa Celestial pond

Garbhgriha

Plan

Celestial pond

Section 107

Quest for expanse in the universe

The Final Cruise * Reminding the narrative * Conclusion and dialogue

â&#x20AC;&#x153;To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hourâ&#x20AC;? -William Blake (1805)

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return" -Leonardo da Vinci

The final cruise

108

109

Overview to the deserts from Savitri Mata Temple Hill

110

The trees and shrubs are planted in rows to develop a linear arrangement of space by juxtaposing the organic context. The trees which grow in Thar desert of India are Khejri or Sangria (Prosopis cineraria), Rohira or desert teak (Tecomella undulata), Kumatiyo or gum arabic (Acacia Senegal), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Indian Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), Pipal or sacred fig (Ficus religiosa)

Returning to sacred space

Space for animal livestocking

Vertical cosmological axis

Inverse cosmological axis

The arrangement of an oasis in the desert as the focal points in the linear grid arrangement which gives the orientation to the temporary shelters during the time of fair.

111

The final cruise

Overview to the deserts from Savitri Mata Temple Hill

Space for animal livestocking

Space for Fair and commercial markets

Inverse cosmological axis for fairground

At this point, the walls come closer to mark a transition into another function and orient the perceivers towards the next point of activities.

The final cruise

112

113

The temporary living within the timeless sources

114

The idea of giving the focal points to increase the density of the tent city will provide people with more spatial opportunities to grow their spaces as per their requirement. Every water body with four hands will act as a sector of an urban city, where interactions are more important after the necessary amenities. Around the wells, every sector may follow radial, grid-iron or organic pattern. There will be no fixed layouts of the tent city.

115

The final cruise

The temporary living within the timeless sources

The central space in the well will be a very dynamic space which will keep changing its character as per the water level in the depression. The depression occupies an area of about seven hundred square meters of an area which will be used for agriculture during the time other than the fair. This will give the employment to the local people and at the same time, the agricultural activities in the desert adjacent to the city will be controlled.

Reinterpreting the motion and rhythm of traditional step wells in India, which descends into the earth in search of water. The water element in the midst of dunes give a notion of life and the four-sided access to reach the core develops the enormous resting places for the dwellers.

The final cruise

116

117

In the quest of shade and water

118

The material used in the flooring and side walls are sandstone derived through the addition of bacteria after digging the earth in the required shape.

Arch in sandstone Arch in brick Arch in steel Arch in glass

119

The final cruise

In the quest of shade and water

Arch in exposed aggregateconcrete finish

Series of arches which are keep depressing when reaching towards the water. This creates an episodic movement where the visitor feels more enclosed whenever step down to cross the archway. However, the materials used for the arches gets more transparent towards the downward levels which juxtapose the enclosure. The final cruise

120

121

The permanent shelters for the camping experience

122

Stage for the night shows of traditional music and dance Amphitheater as the major open public space for the city to showcase the art and quality of Pushkar.

123

The final cruise

The permanent shelters for the camping experience

Defensive walls for shopping and amenities

Shaded halls with cave-like experience for shelters by digging the earth

The site allocated for the permanent shelters are in walking distance to the bus and the train station and it is planned on the outer side of the protective walls so that the site could become a part of the existing city.

The final cruise

Bus station

Railway station

124

125

Greetings of green in the way of deserts

126

Arcades with the different colored traditional clothes as roofing. The extra amount of shades developed is the gift of the universe.

The submerged exhibition space is hidden inside the trees in the shape of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Omâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the spiritual symbol used in the Hindu culture to start any journey. There are colorful glass walls provided in the exhibition halls to give the glimpses of the experience which the traveller receives while moving inside. 127

The final cruise

Greetings of green in the way of deserts The first visual of the starting point is the existing temple which makes it unique and spiritual.

The dense group of trees are protecting the visuals of the inside and increasing the excitement of the tourist to go inside space.

The final cruise

128

129

The shopping and food experience around the generous walls

130

Direction towards the fair ground

This land is filled with the diverse activities among the crowds and the international tourist try their best to be a part of it.

131

The final cruise

The amenities block added to the walls after every hundred meters of extension. The structure helps to take the ground sand on the top of the walls.

The shopping and food experience around the generous walls

Staggered pattern of commercial arcade to serve the people for both sides of the wall and also helps to create the resting spots for the people.

The traditional decorative paintings are used on the sandstone walls, according to the situation of the place to give the symbolic resemblance to space. Below that random sandstones are thrown of varying heights for the shaded seating.

After every five or six shops, one experience the extensive desert view from a diversion of the wall

Gifted with the shaded walks around the fair due to the presence of walls which are unconventionally offers everything to give the potions of life.

The final cruise

132

133

Approaching towards the fair ground

134

Staggered openings in the wall with a plinth in different sizes as the shopkeeper require different heights of plinths and there is an intermix of activities in shopping streets.

135

The final cruise

Approaching towards the fair ground

The view of the fairground is also protected through the rows of Neem and Banyan tree which are considered as sacred trees. The seating spaces are provided below them to create a private interaction zone between the hue areas.

The final cruise

136

137

The magic inside the submerged fairground

138

The stage has a urban staircase with a landing extending in two sides for announcements.

139

The final cruise

The magic inside the submerged fairground

The permanent sheds in precast sandstone in the areas of entrances to the ground.

Fairground is the most lively space where the events are performed in groups so the land is divided into strips to entertain multiple Cultural activities and competitions such as Hockey, Kabaddi, Cricket, longest moustache contest, running sports, dance performances, camel decoration, etc.

The final cruise

140

141

The shaded paths in the arcades

142

Bamboo supports

The dynamism in the movement inside the shaded path along with the commercial activities will evoke the feeling of motion in a sacred Indian town and reminds them of the past. 143

The final cruise

The shaded paths in the arcades

Traditional cloth

Bamboo supports

Protective walls

Plinth in sandstone

The final cruise

144

145

Looking back towards the City

146

Reflecting the intense movement, the imaginary spaceship is approaching the city discover the brilliance of Pushkar.

Stands for the livestock of animals

While moving away from the city and towards the Thar desert, there comes the deck which again gives the serene view of the historic sacred land and nourish the minds of the perceivers so that when they move forward towards the temple, their mind is already in a stage of appreciation and satisfaction. 147

The final cruise

Looking back towards the City

The mythical holy water is showering by Lord Brahma into the Pushkar Lake and always kept it full.

Stands for the livestock of animals

Fair extension as a space reserved for live concerts and various swings used in the traditional fairs of India.

The final cruise

148

149

Watching towards the thar desert

150

The hidden temple is finally revealed with the brightest backdrop of bamboo fencing and the great deserts. The is the space of paradise.

151

The final cruise

Watching towards the thar desert

This side of the deck gives an illusion of walk into the temple as the geometry of the pond around the temple is followed at the edge of the deck to create a water body. The bridge connects to the corner and one can reach there and experience the vast horizontally spread deserts, which are juxtaposed by the vertical mass of the temple. The final cruise

152

153

The zone for animal livestocking

154

The stands for the livestock of animals with the defensive walls angled by following the curve of the overall shape of the arcade acts like the louvres to control the sand dunes.

155

The final cruise

The zone for animal livestocking

The freestanding deck to look into the city

Plinths are given as a base to the trees which are like the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chabutraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Indian houses and streets where small gatherings are taking place. People occupy these spaces in various ways, therefore, this is the precious element in the scheme.

The final cruise

156

157

Pray in silence

158

The backdrop with the temple is an absolute mind-making tool for the people coming to enrich their thoughts and vision towards their existence.

159

The final cruise

Pray in silence The quality of space helps the saints to bring the planets on earth itself as their movement is always considered as the life of human beings.

The meditation spaces in a void between the dense bamboo fencings. These small enclosed spaces in comparison to the other huge developments finally, give the rest to the human body. The saints will occupy these spaces and do the meditations for years to get the blessings from God. At the same time, the place will be a good medium to transfer the knowledge from domestic to international tourists. The final cruise

160

Spatial renderings as the concluding statement

The Placemaking in the cities of India is very periodic in nature and it should not settle into one structural form. The trust in the reincarnations of life should also reflect in the magical spaces of the cities. Being the massive admirer of works by Le Corbusier, I do not imagine his ideas of urban planning in the cities of India unless they are reflecting the soul of the Indian cities. But, his architectural manifestation in the designs of Churches such as La Tourette and Ronchamp has the significant impact on my understanding of space. Space is the sensorial experience where walls are treated as symbols, roof as the source of light, floor as the vast space for water and greenery. The miraculous experiences created in the endless deserts of Pushkar are the outcome of the learnings from the marvels of Le Corbusier and Peter Zumthor. The quest to identify the meanings for space, making renders them into a timeless space as the wisdom of land and I reckon that the visitor coming to Pushkar, taking the route of deserts through the shaded arcades would not be able to think about his mundane urban life. This will give the new life to the visitor and he will fill with joy and happiness like a newborn child. Further, the primary emphasis on the permanency of the infrastructure also raises a voice against the tedious material used for the constructing the modern cities in India. There is a massive impact of temporariness in the voids of cities and their contents should be carefully identified and utilised in the new developments so that the local people would feel confident and free to participate in the making of their cities. The architectural manifestation in the Pushkar city through this project is kept tranquil so that the activities it gives the brightest experiences of cultural networks of most diverse contents for the social attainments of the visitors. Every land is kept buried in the sand; however, the sensory experiences are in continuous motion like the movement of the sand dunes. It is the unalloyed encounter where the physical appearance converts into twin nature. The Thar deserts are perceived as the bright opportunity site to design the walking route that passes through the rich mythology, renowned heritage, varied geology and astounding beauty of the land with a sense of intimacy. The social and topographical aspects are used as a medium to interpret the land of paradise which is sacred and grows out from the blessings of the almighty God. There is a need for empathy in the present state of architectural practices in India to interpret the abiding stories hidden inside the various lands all over the country.

"I have decided to make beauty by contrast. I will find its complement and establish a play between crudity and finesse, between the dull and the intense, between precision and accident." -Le Corbusier 161

Conclusion

162

Bibliography • Alison and Don (2013), ‘Tent city: The mela at the Pushkar Camel Fair’, (Online) (Accessed on 06th March 2018) https://alisonanddon.com/2013/01/04/india-part-10-the-pushkar-camel-fair/

• Alison, J (2007), ‘Future City: experiment and utopia in architecture’, London: Thames and Hudson Ltd. • Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture (2015), ‘Radical Temporalities: The Landscape of Ephermeral Urbanism- Rahul Mehrotra, Felipe Vera, in collaboration with Diego Pinochet’’, (Online) (Accessed on 06th March 2018) http://en.szhkbiennale.org/Exhibits/contentPage.aspx?id=10000663

• Government of Rajasthan (2011), ‘Pushkar master plan 2011-2031’, Government of Rajasthan, India, Retrieved through Town planning Department (Online)(Accessed on 16th March 2018) http://www.urban.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/udh/ctp/en/master-plan.html#

• Gsd Urban India Project (2013), ‘Kumbh Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Mega City’, Harvard University (Online)(Accessed on 19th March 2018) https://mittalsouthasiainstitute.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Kumbh-GSD-Proposal.pdf

• Hardy, A (2007), ‘The Temple Architecture of India’, England: John Wiley & Sons • Haydn, F and Temel, R (2006), ‘Temporary Urban Spaces: Concepts for the Use of City Spaces’, Basel: Birkhauser verlag ag • Henneberry, J (2017), ‘Transience and Permanence in Urban Development’, United States: John Wiley & Sons • Holl, Steven (2009), ‘Urbanisms: Working with doubts’, New York: Princeton Architectural Press • Kunaeva, M (2012), ‘Sustainable Tourism Management along the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Routes’, Retrieved through Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Online) (Accessed on 20th March 2018) https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/40139/Kunaeva_Marina.pdf?sequence

• Jeffrey, L (2006), ‘The Pushkar Camel Fair’, Retrieved through Harvard Review, No.31 (Online) (Accessed on 20th Feb 2018) http://www.jstor.org/stable/27569213

• Lafarge Holcim Foundation(2008), ‘Dune anti-desertification architecture’, (Online) (Accessed on 26th April 2018)

https://www.lafargeholcim-foundation.org/projects/dune-anti-desertification-architecture-sokoto-nigeria

• Lawson, F. and Baud-Bovy, M. (1976), ‘Tourism and Recreational Development: Handbook of Physical Planning’, London: Architectural Press • Moschini, F (1980), ‘Massimo Scolari: Watercolors and drawings 1965-1980’, London: Academy Editions • Nath Aman (2006), ‘Brahma’s Pushkar: Ancient Indian Pilgrimage’, India: India Book House • Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980), ‘Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture’, New York: Rizzoli International Publications Inc. • Pandya, Y. (2005), ‘Concept of space in traditional Indian architecture’, Ahmedabad, India: Mapin Publishing Pvt.Ltd • Prasad, S and Bhatia, V (2014), ‘An Empirical Study of tourists satisfaction in the international pushkar fair’, Retrieved through International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Systems, Volume 7 Issue 2 (Online)(Accessed on 26th Feb 2018) http://www.publishingindia.com/GetBrochure.aspx?query=UERGQnJvY2h1cmVzfC8yNDE5LnBkZnwvM jQxOS5wZGY=

163

• Pushkar Municipal Board (2006), ‘City Development Plan for Ajmer and Pushkar’, Government of Rajasthan, India, Retrieved through Scribd (Online)(Accessed on 26th March 2018) https://www.scribd.com/document/47590778/Final-City-Development-Plan-Ajmer-Pushkar

• Ramirez, J A (2000), ‘The Beehive Metaphor: From Gaudi to Le Corbusier’, London: Reaktion Books Ltd. • Refill Magazine (2017), ‘Transitional or Transformative Temporary Use’, Refill Partners, Netherlands, Issue 5 (Online)(Accessed on 29th March 2018) http://urbact.eu/sites/default/files/media/refill_magazine_5.pdf

• Regan, John (1983), ‘Aldo Rossi: Selected writings and projects’, London: Architectural Design • Steenbergen, C. and Reh, W (1996), ‘Architecture and Landscape: The design experiments of the Great European Gardens and Landscapes’, Germany: Prestel-Verlag (Netherlands: THOTH Publishers) • Stoddard, R (2009), ‘Pilgrimage places and Sacred Geometries’, University of Nebraska, Lincoln Retrieved through Digital commons @ University of Nebraska, Lincoln (Online)(Accessed on 6th March 2018) http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/geographyfacpub

• Welland, M (2009), ‘Sand: The Never-Ending Story’, University of California Press

164

Appendix

Merging the notions of past and present with the inclined plaza and a library, The city of culture in Galicia (Santiago de Compostela), Spain by Peter Eisenmann. / Retrieved from utiledesignblog (No date) (Online Image)

Dune ANTI-DESERTIFICATION architecture In search of the new material to be used for habitat, Larsson proposes a life in the sand where he treated the sand with the bacteria called bacillus pasteurii, a microcosm which is easily available in marshes and wetlands, to convert it into the sandstone. Taking forward the experiment, he produces the imaginary design for the habitat in sahara deserts.

Project description by the architect

Magnus Larsson AA, School of Architecture, London

Source: Holmic Awards Competition entry, 2008

This project investigates adaptive (as opposed to mitigatory) strategies leading to the creation of a climate-conscious architecture that responds to the extreme environments of tomorrow’s globally-warmed world. Highly speculative yet buildable, the scheme aims to fi nd innovative solutions to combat desertifi cation in the Sahel region of Africa, where sand dunes are currently moving southward at a breathtaking pace of around 600m per year, ruining the land and making it impossible for the inhabitants of this area to make a living or even stay in their homes. The forced migration of desertifi cation refugees is perhaps more threatening in Nigeria than anywhere else. With a population of over 140 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with serious desertifi cation issues throughout its northern states. It was Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who initiated the anti-desertification Green Wall Sahara initiative in 2005. This pan-Africanscheme seeks to plant a shelterbelt across the continent, from Mauritania in the west to Djibouti in the east, in an attempt to stop the dunes from migrating. The trees are being planted right now. An architectural response to this campaign would be to go beyond the mere planting of a mitigatory shelterbelt. Habitable spaces can be created in close proximity to the trees. By cutting through the sand dunes and digging down to find water and shade, an artifi cial oasis can be formed underground. The sand is solidifi ed using bacillus pasteurii, a microorganism with which professor Jason DeJong has turned sand into sandstone in a mere 1,400 minutes. This technology of organically cementing networks of sand dunes into habitable barriers that stop the desert from spreading has never been proposed before, but on hearing about this project, the professor was enthusiastic: “I do think the application you are talking about is possible”. I’m proposing anti-desertifi cation structures made out of the desert itself, sand-stopping devices made of sand: a poetic proposal that simultaneously works in a sustainable way with local materials and assets. Special emphasis has been put on fi nding a solution that is high-tech in result but low-tech in application and construction, with the economical scenario being hard to pin down as this method is virgin territory. It is recognized that poor people are highly vulnerable to the effects of weather, as drought can cause famine while good rains can cause drops in crop prices. The architecture presented here could form a stable base from which to fi ght back against both effects. 165

Relevance to target issues by Larsson Source: Holmic Awards Competition entry, 2008

Quantum change and transferability Traditional anti-desertification methods include the planting of trees and cactuses, the cultivation of grasses and shrubs, and the construction of sand-catching fences and walls. More ambitious projects have ventured into the development of agriculture and livestock, water conservation, soil management, forestry, sustainable energy, improved land use, wildlife protection, poverty alleviation, and so on. This project, apart from utilizing a completely new way of turning sand into sandstone, is the fact that it incorporates all of the above. Inside the dunes, we can take care of our plants and animals, fi nd water and shade, help the soil, care for the trees, and so on. It’s an environmental project that provides an innovation for other architects/builders to copy time and time again. Ethical standards and social equity Desertification is a major threat on all continents, affecting 110 countries and some 70% of the world’s agricultural drylands. Nowhere is the problem more serious than in Africa. Desertification seriously threatens the livelihoods of the millions of people in Africa who depend on the land for most of their needs. The ethical implications of this are the very starting point for this project. The question: “Can we challenge desertification in a new way?” This project seeks to do three things: make it possible for desertification refugees to remain in their home area, offer better spaces for social interactions, and, finally, create an inverse separation barrier: a bridge between countries sharing the desert condition. Ecological quality and energy conservation The proposal is based on permacultural feedback loops. Water is an example: from rainwater swales through to the digging of tunnels down to aquifers. The latter picks up on the history of the Garamantes tribe, a Saharan Berber-speaking people who used an elaborate underground irrigation system in the Sahara desert, where they were a local power between 500 BC and 500 AD. Economic performance and compatibility The actual cost of implementing the bacillus pasteurii method of construction has not yet been calculated, as no one has ever tried anything like this. The best way of assessing the structure’s economic performance might be to meditate on the alternative: land owners no longer being able to make a living off their grounds. Here’s architecture with the power to turn an economy. Contextual and aesthetic impact The curvilinearity of the dunescape is what truly makes a desert a desert. Basing the aesthetic strategy on tafoni, a kind of cavernous rock formation that exist on the site, the impact is surreal and continuous – the solidifi ed dune mitigates against the migrating dunes, whilst offering living spaces and affectual points of interaction where events can occur outside of the scripted program.

166

167

168

169

170

Cavities left after the chemical reaction

/ Image by Magnus Larsson, Retrieved through Designboom (2013) (Online Image)

Section showing the enclosed spaces which also helps to develop the green areas and water / Image by Magnus Larsson, Retrieved through Designboom (2013) (Online Image) 171

Inspiring sketches of Massimo Scolari

Beyond the sky, 1982

/ Retrieved from Pinterest (No date) (Online Image)

Dream of a shadow, The man, 2011 / Retrieved from Pinterest (No date) (Online Image)

172

Inspiring sketches of Massimo Scolari

Pneuma 1992

/ Retrieved from Pinterest (No date) (Online Image)

173

Inspiring sketch of Frank Lloyd Wright for Broadacre city

Retrieved from pc.blogspot (2005) (Online Image)

174

Design development block model

175

Ten Principles of Sustainable Tourism

1. Preserve, restore historical buildings, neighborhood and landscape. Examples are Pike place market, Seattle, and Santa Fe 2. Focus on the authentic and emphasising real over virtual and to preserve culture, food, art and music. Examples are Alabama in Birmingham, Annual festivals in Virginia 3. Tourist facilities which are compatible with surroundings and there should not be a mass pro duction. Examples are Tourist facilities in Memphis, Hotels in Virginia 4. Interpret the resources in a most economical way which should educate the tourists. Examples are Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Richmond, Virginia 5. Protect the community gateways Examples are Arlington County in Virginia, Cathedral city in California, Carmel in Indiana. 6. Control the outdoor signs and protect the scenic views and vista. Examples are Jallianwalla Commercial street in Punjab and America tourist destination. 7. Enhance the journey and destination through bike paths and rail trails. Examples are Blue ride parkway in America, Natchez Trace Parkway 8. Get tourist out of cars and make it more walkable which is also good for local commercial activities. Examples are Embarcaderd in San Francisco, Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Riverwalk in San Antonio 9. Linking the sites which can become a coherent and powerful attraction. Examples are the Blues Highway in Mississippi which connects Memphis to New Orleans. 10. Recognize that tourism has limits and must be managed. An example is Maryland in Virginia.

176