Problem Statement

Through various methodologies applied to observe and analyze the area, it has been gathered that there are mainly two problems that need to be addressed. The problems are the need for basic physical infrastructures like chairs and benches around the spaces of Baisnavdevi Temple and proper management of wastage of the temple area. The situational analysis shows that the space has got good potential to be used as a space for leisure activities especially for the elderly people who are also the major stakeholders of the area.

Since the initial observation phase, one thing that I had frequently noticed was people would come to the temple area to worship Goddess Baisnavdevi in the temple and would just leave the space afterward not using much of the spaces for any time. Some people would be seen just standing around the spaces of the temple, while the joggers would just pass through it. During the daytime, some people would be seen under the tree just lying down and taking rest. So, I started a questionnaire with the people coming to the temple area especially the elderly and the temple goers.

Need for Infrastructure to Sit

How often do you come to this area? Do you use this space for purposes other than coming to the temple? Do you see any problem associated with the temple area? What would you change about the space to attract more people ?

Type of questions used in the questionanaire

Figure 25. Temple Spaces Used by Joggers and Bypassers

Many people during the questionnaire emphasized the need for a proper place to sit and relax.

An adult jogger said that "I come to this area every morning during my jogging as the area is just beside the road, but even though I would love to sit here and just enjoy the atmosphere, I have to leave as there is no place to sit."

Similarly, an elderly man of about 70 who had just visited the temple said, "You see, the place is serene, it has got trees, if a couple of benches would be available there, it would be perfect for elderly folks like me to come and pass time here."

Lack of Waste Management

Another problem that seems to be prevalent and also visible to people visiting the temple area is the unmanaged wastes. Various wastes from the temple and cremation sites have caused havoc around the space. Wastages from the temple are the kinds of stuff that are used for worship in the temple like flowers, fruits, leaves, etc. These are just thrown into the open spaces of the temple which have destroyed the aesthetic value of the area. Similarly, the wastage from the cremation sites also seems to be in chunks which have added to much destruction of the aesthetic importance of the place.

Also, during the informal interviews with the residents of the Bagdole Area who are also frequent visitors of the Baisnavdevi Temple had concerns about the wastage of the temple as it has not been managed systematically. Many of them even blamed the 'Guthi System' for not taking proper care of the temple and the area.

An elderly resident said, "I want to go there every day as nature and atmosphere is peaceful to sit and relax, but a bad smell comes which makes it inconvenient for me to stay there for a long time."

So, the impact of wastage is seen mostly to the elderly people who are also the regular users of the space around the temple. The problem of unmanaged waste is kind of opposing the users to come there and use the space for any kind of relaxation or leisure activities.

Figure 26. Wastages Thrown Rampantly around Temple Space and Cremation Site