Student Profile

The Krishna Temple Complex in Hampi: Exploring its Identity as a Medieval Hindu Temple in the Contemporary Context

Despite being well utilized for centuries, many Hindu temples in India have languished over time. They lie vacant and unused across the Indian subcontinent during a time when financial resources for amenities that serve the local community are hard to come by. In Hampi, this strain is felt not only by the local community, but the tourism sector as well due to Hampi’s immense significance as a unique Medieval-city in the Indian subcontinent. Using the Krishna Temple Complex in Hampi’s Sacred Center as a case study, I examined the nature of the Hindu religion and its adherents; the various Vedic rules of construction; the political, socio-religious, and communal forces that determine a religious structure’s future; and the architectural, legal, and historical considerations of the temple complex. While these parameters were not by any means exhaustive, they allowed me to deduce that the sanctity of a Hindu Temple (the main shrine) should be respected; a Hindu Temple does not really lose its sanctity even though it loses its intended use. However, the area around the shrine, including the ancillary structures and pillared halls (mandapas) can and should be put to alternative uses.
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Ph.D. Candidate

ak426@cornell.edu

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Ashima Krishna’s interest in all things historic developed while growing up in the city of Lucknow in Northern India. However it was during her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in architecture (2005) that she was introduced to conservation and historic preservation.

Ashima received her M.A. in historic preservation and planning from Cornell University in 2008. During her studies, Ashima worked with three conservation architectural firms in different cities in India; Romi Khosla Design Studios (New Delhi) in 2004, ANB Consultants (Lucknow) in 2005–06, and Abha Narain Lambah Associates (Mumbai) in 2007. These firms involved her in a variety of projects including: landscape, conservation, interiors, urban development, adaptive reuse, and commercial architecture. Her principal interests remain in preservation and conservation of the built heritage and how they interface with issues of community planning. Ashima plans to continue with more detailed research into these topics.