VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF KULLU

Submitted by:

Jagriti

13622

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE is a category of

architecture based on local needs, construction

materials and reflecting local traditions.

It tends to evolve over time to reflect

the environmental, cultural, technological, economic,

and historical context in which it exists.

The term vernacular is derived from

the Latin vernaculus, meaning "native".

In architecture, it refers to that type of

architecture which is indigenous to a specific time or

place.

Introduction to VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF KULLU

In Kullu, elements of nature shape the spatial order

and man has to adapt himself to these forces.

Over the ages it has evolved unique traditions of art

and architecture with foreign influences.

In the post independence period it has been marked

by almost complete break from traditional and

colonial style of architecture.

Geographical features OF KULLU

Altitude : 1,278 m

Latitude : 31° 20‘N to 32° 25'N

Longitude : 76° 56‘E to 77° 52'E

Climate : Cold

Maximum Temperature : 38.8° C

Minimum Temperature : 5.2° C

Average rainfall : 80 cm

LOCALLY AVAILABLE MATERIALS

Availability of forests implies high

preference to wood for construction

purposes.

Due to the Beas river passing through the

district, mud is available easily.

Since it is hilly area, stone is available in

abundance.

Climatic influence

Low ceiling height for warmer interiors.

Small size windows to prevent heat loss.

Sloping roofs for efficient drainage in heavy

rainfall and snowfall areas.

Use of wood mainly for building purposes to

keep the living warmer and comfortable.

ARCHITECTURE OF KULLU

Architecture of Kullu can broadly be

divided into 4 categories:

Architecture of houses

Temple Architecture

Architecture of Monasteries

Architecture of Palaces

ARCHITECTURE of houses

Double storey houses with pitched roof, oriented

towards South to reduce heat loss.

Linear arrangement of rooms, connected by a

verandah or balcony on both the floors.

Timber and stone are used widely as both have high

thermal capacity and low conductivity.

Inner walls thickness is 4 inch and outer walls

thickness is 9 inch.

SECTION OF A TYPICAL HOUSE

Kath-khuni architecture

This style of layering

and interlocking timber

with stones in the walls

provides strength,

stability and flexibility.

Different types of

Pitched Roofs

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

Himachal Pradesh is a land of the Gods.

Hindu temples of many types are found in this

spectacular land of the Himalayas.

This valley of Kullu has 368 temples.

There are three styles of temple architecture

in the valley:

Pagoda style

Shikhara style

Pahari style

PAGODA STYLE

These are rectangular stone and wood structures

with successive roofs, placed one over the other

making them in some cases look like multi-storey

edifices.

Hadimba Temple (Manali) , Tripura Sundri

Temple (Naggar) and Adi Brahma Temple

(Khokhan) are examples of such architecture.

HADIMBA TEMPLE

Interiors of

the temple

Adi-brahma temple

Shikhara style

It refers to the rising tower over the sanctum

where the presiding deity is enshrined and is the

most prominent and visible part of a Hindu

temple of North India.

Bishweshwar temple (Bajaura), Shiv Temple

(Naggar), Gauri Shankar Temple (Dashal), Shiv

Temple (Jagatsukh) are built in this style.

Of these Bishweshwar temple, Bajaura is the

largest stone temple in the valley.

Bishweshwar temple

Pahari style

Pahari style is a mixture of all other

temple forms.

Bhuvneshwari Temple and Bijli Mahadev

Temple in Kullu are excellent examples of

this form of temple architecture.

Bijli mahadev temple

Dechen Choekhor Monastery

monasteries

palaces

Naggar castle

Interior view of naggar castle

Chehni kothi

Main construction techniques

Rammed earth technique

Adobe construction

In the former style, the mud is filled into the wooden

forms and rammed into the place slowly building up

the wall.

In the later style, sun dried mud blocks are used in

the construction of the wall. The roof is kept flat

and comprises a closely packed layer of sun twigs

supported on wooden beams and joists and resting

on the wooden columns.

Thank you…