An architectural exploration of Mandirs: a new temple for the Sudbury Hindu community

Abstract

As the time changes, so do the methods of representation. Designs become intricate and complicated to the point where they need to return to the source of origin and start the search for a contemporary temple design. The evolution of Hindu temples from simple structure to complex structure and from timber to brick, brick to stone, and stone to concrete appears throughout history. To date, there are few Hindu temples that have been constructed according to the current time period. This thesis will examine the opportunities of designing a Hindu temple that is a combination of both modern elements and traditional beliefs, for the many Hindu sects that live in Sudbury, Canada. This will be attempted by studying the traditional methods of creating a mandir (Temple). As Hinduism has many sects, and each of them have slightly different beliefs in religion, it becomes difficult to gather the entire community in these conditions and design a temple to one dedicated deity, especially in a foreign country. A temple becomes more than a place of worship when the mandir is located in a different country and environment; it becomes the center and grounding point of the Hindu community. It would represent the traditional culture that has adapted to a new geography, climate and environment. As a result, this new mandir will aim to continue being a home for the gods and goddess that are being worshiped by the current Hindu community of Sudbury. It will house multiple gods, not just one as in a traditional temple, and this will become a method to keep everyone connected. As a temple in Sudbury would develop into something more than a place of worship, it will also integrate a place where cultural events such as Diwali (the Festival of Light), Navratri (Festival of Cultural Dances) and many other events could take place. The mandir will also become a place of traditional knowledge, for all ages and different religions. This mandir will be created by paying tribute to the traditional temples, traditional texts, and methods such as using Vāstuśāstra as a basis for temple design and construction, adapting to the needs of the community and site.