Reinstating the Glory of Terracotta

NIL-C02-A13-384

REINSTATING THE GLORY OF TERRACOTTA: SRI GOVINDJI TEMPLE
AT KANGLA FORT, MANIPUR, INDIA

 The temple was built in 1846
AD

during

the

reign

of

Maharaja Nara Singha.

 This composite structure was
made of
Brick,
Terracotta
Teak wood.

ARCHIDESIGN AWARDS FOR
THE ARCASIA AWARDS 2013 ARCHITECTURE 2011/2012
CATEGORY D (CONSERVATION PROJECTS)
CATEGORYC - Award For Architectural / Environmental Conservation

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NIL-C02-A13-384

LOCATION

CULTURAL AND HERITAGE VALUE:
Terracotta brick vernacular architecture of Bengal and Manipur, bear testimony to the varied and ancient traditions of terracotta that
have flourished in India over five millennia. Eastern India has experienced a vast array of the art of Terracotta in forms of temples &
ornamentations that have withstood the test of time. With the vagaries of nature and decay over ages, these temples are in need of
immediate preservation and maintenance.

Stone was rare in these areas.
Being composed of small units, use of bricks gave higher
flexibility and greater constructional possibility in these
seismic prone regions.


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THE DAMGED TEMPLE

WHY THE CONSERVATION WAS NEEDED ?
•The conservation revitalized a decaying landmark of terracotta craftsmanship and
terracotta brick architecture.
•It was a protective step towards the cultural resource of Manipur and its History.
•It promoted the Socio-religious values.
•The adaptive reconstruction / conservation helped to spread the traditional art of terracotta
not only amongst the workers involved with the project but also amongst the general mass.

VEGETAL GROWTH

Excessive rainfall caused vegetation growth
which led to cracks and dislodged the
masonry.

Damage due to salt petere and
dampness in masonry structure.

THREE SUCCESIVE
EARTHQUAKES
•Collapsing of main ceiling and partial collapsing of
sidewall.
•Settlement problem in foundation part.
•Action of soluble salts like chlorides, sulphides,
nitrates etc .
Conceptual exploded
view of the temple


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RECONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS OF SHRI GOVINDJI TEMPLE

FRONT ELEVATION

SIDE (SOUTH) ELEVATION

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

BACK (WEST SIDE) ELEVATION







SECTION THROUGH XX’

The plan of the temple is square.
It stands on Raised Jagati (platform)
The Bhitti (plinth) is also raised, straight up to the Cornice
The ceiling was made of terracotta

ROOF PLAN

Rafters made of Teak Wood supported the roof above the corridor (Pradakshina)


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NIL-C02-A13-384

OBJECTIVES

The side wall had fallen partially owing to the
damaged caused by neglect as well as
earthquake.

1.
The main ceiling had collapsed.

Picture showing the main vaulted ceiling before
it collapsed
(Taken from old records at site)

Restoration using technologies for
damage rehabilitation and traditional
science of building construction.

2.

Protect Cultural Resources

3.
4.
5.

Restore and revitalize the building.
Promote socio-religious values.
Train local people in the traditional art
of terracotta.
Shri Govindji Temple after the vaulted ceiling
collapsed.

Training of local people in the traditional
construction techniques.


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NIL-C02-A13-384

MAIN DAMAGES FACED BY THE STRUCTURE

1. THE ROOF COLLAPSED AFTER THREE SUCCESSIVE EARTHQUAKES EXPOSING
THE STRUCTURE TO FURTHER WEATHERING HAZARD.

INNER VIEW

Pic: Shri Govindji Temple after the
vaulted ceiling collapsed.

Pic: Picture showing the Main
vaulted ceiling before it collapsed.
(Taken from old records at site)
Inspired from the weaving pattern of
traditional bamboo basket, the entire
form of the vault was reconstructed with
a grid of bamboo.

Pic: The side wall had
fallen partially owing to the
damaged caused by
neglect as well as
earthquake.

Bamboo grid and
sparingly used steel have
been camouflaged by
a layer of lime Surkhi.
Original roof was 40” thick throughout till
the top. The new roof starts from 15” at
the base and 6” at the top, reducing
the load by 200 mt.


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NIL-C02-A13-384

THE CONSERVATION PROCESS
4. CRACKS AND CREVICES DEVELOPED DUE TO
EARTHQUAKE
WAS
FURTHER
WEAKENED
BY
VEGETATION GROWTH.

The glass “tell-tale” signs were put up over the existing cracks to study the
threat of further deterioration and were found broken after 6 months.

Vegetal growth was
cleared
from
the
superstructure and the
walls were restored.

Vegetation growth on the
walls and around the super
structure

Cracks which were found
going

up

to

the

foundation, that part of
the structure was carefully
dismantled,

the

foundation reset and the
super structure remade.


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NIL-C02-A13-384

3. RISING DAMPNESS ON WALLS AND FLOORS LED TO FURTHER CRACKS AND
DAMAGE.

5. TERRACOTTA IS SUBJECTED
TO WATER INFILTRATION AND
FREEZE THAW DAMAGE.

Infiltration and Freeze-thaw
damage to brick masonry

Synthetic resins used as a
protective coat.

Granite slab inserted at plinth level to prevent
the rising dampness through capillary action
Rising dampness on the walls

Detail of Plinth
Protection

Synthetic resins like silicon
and epoxies were used as
sealants to prevent further
damage
masonry

to

the

from

brick
water

infiltration and freeze thaw
damage.


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NIL-C02-A13-384

2. WOODEN BEAMS AND RAFTERS WERE IN A STATE OF DECAY.

The wooden rafters were restored. Completely damaged or missing rafters
were replaced.


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NIL-C02-A13-384

6. STUCCO PLASTER OF EXTERNAL WALLS WERE DAMAGED.


Vegetal growth was cleared from the stucco plaster, in certain cases
where it was completely damaged, it was reconstructed.

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NIL-C02-A13-384

7. MOST OF THE BALUSTERS AND PARAPETS WERE BROKEN WHILE
SOME WERE MISSING, HAVING FALLEN AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE.


Broken or missing balusters and parapets were restored or reconstructed.

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NIL-C02-A13-384


• 10’ wide trench was dug up
around the temple.
• A continuous band of corbelled
masonry buttresses have been
provided
to
strengthen
the
foundation against the lateral
seismic force.
• An additional plinth protection
band of stone was provided
around the structure at the ground
level.

16 types of bricks were found to be used in the
construction of Shri Govindji Temple

Old bricks were dug out from the
debris of the monument, sorted
out and aired and dried in the sun.
Brick bats were kept separately for
crushing and making into Surkhi
(brick dust).


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NIL-C02-A13-384

8. SALTPETERE DEPOSITS WERE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE MASONRY STRUCTURE

Before
Entrance

steps

that

were

completely damaged have been
reconstructed

as

photographs

taken

records at site.

Saltpetere deposit in the brick masonry

Saltpetere
removed
disturbing

bricks

were

carefully

without

the

structure.

Affected areas were treated
and those which could be
reused were inserted.

Saltpetere cleared removed
from external surface


After

13

per

the

from

old

NIL-C02-A13-384


Traditional artisans were invited from rural Bengal to teach the local craftsmen the
traditional terracotta art for the purpose of restoration.

The process of restoring the exterior façade of Shri
Govindji Temple

The Restored Shri Govindji Temple given back to the
community


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AFTER

Reinstating the Glory of Terracotta

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