Shiva Temple Complex, Hubli

Typology : Institutional

Location : Palikoppa, Hubballi

Name of Client : Aradhana Trust

Principal Architect : Chandrakant Kanthigavi

Team : Ramya R Joshi, Rachana N, Abhijita Gaonkar, Arun Kumar, Preet Patel, Sathvik Srinath, Priyadarshini Jain, Preethika

Site Area ( sq m) : 26,304.564 sq m

Built-Up Area ( sq m) : 6000 sq m

Project Cost : 25 Cr

Start Date : 2019

Completion Date : 2023

Photography Credits : 4site architects

India is a land of diverse cultural and religious hubs, and temples have always sites of cultural importance. The state of Karnataka is also very well-known for temples at Hampi, Beluru etc which are architectural marvels. Inheriting these values proposing a contemporary temple complex in this site that abuts the Hubballi – Bengaluru highway was a challenge.

This temple complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva, where the main temple and the smaller shrines dedicated to other deities are built respecting the Dravidian temple architecture by ‘Sthapati Swaminathan and his team.

The requirement by clients was to propose a temple complex with facilities like Guest house, Kitchen, dining, priest accommodation, and other Dravidian temple elements incorporated accordingly like the, Gaushala, Kalyani, etc.

The temple journey is articulated in four parts, that is – The arambha patha, the parivarthana patha, the adhyatmika gola, and the avalokana patha.

As one approaches the temple complex from the Highway,they are guided to the ‘Bazaar Street’ where they initiate their path to approach the divine – ‘The Arambha Patha’. The Arambha patha emcompasses of some shops, refreshments, and also, the queue of people are directed towards the next path slowly here.

Following which is the‘ Parivarthana Patha’ here one enjoys his walk towards the main temple complex through a series of covered colonnade and Pavilion, these Pavilions engage people with the stories of Lord embedded in them, also giving sneak peaks of the Rajagopura. The Rajagopura unveils itselfs as magnificent structure as one enters the East pavilion and glances towards the Main temple complex. This path conditions one’s mind to connect with his spirit.

And, as one steps further he will approach the ‘Adhyatmika Gola’- the spiritual sphere where the Temple is located.

As one visits the Main and small temple’s they are guided towards the Ratha Beedi, from where they can approach the ancillary buildings, the guest house, and the dining hall.

The ‘ Avalokana patha’ is the path that allows one to contemplate his journey so far, here again we get to witness the North pavilion, where one can approach the Gaushala. As one steps forward towards the collonades and pavilions, they get to witness the cultural events held at the amphitheater. As one proceeds further,one approaches the Kalyani – the sacred pond. Moving on, we reach the exit.

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