Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
ARCHITECTURE OF
HIMACHAL
PRADESH
-ARPITHA .S
-2BV10at006
and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and southwest, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on
the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east.
Geography , climate
Himachal is situated in the western Himalayas . It is a mountainous state with elevation ranging from
about 350 metres to 7,000 metres above the sea level .
There is great variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal due to extreme variation in elevation. The
climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern tracts to cold, alpine and glacial in the
northern and eastern mountain ranges with more elevation .
Broadly Himachal experience three seasons; hot weather season, cold weather season and rainy season.
Summer lasts from mid April till the end of June and most parts become very hot with the average
temperature ranging from 28 C to 32 C .Winter lasts from late November till mid March. Snowfall is
common in alpine tracts .
Culture
Himachal was one of the few states that had remained largely
untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult
terrain.
Himachal Pradesh is a multi-religional , multicultural as well
as multilingual state like other Indian states. Some of the most
commonly spoken languages
includes Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, Dogri,Mandeali, Kangri
and Kinnauri .
There are also tribal population in the state which mainly
comprise Gaddis, Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.
PLANNING
Features
Kath khuni is a indigenous wood and stone construction technique employed by all
types of vernacular built forms which can be seen in Sutlej valley of himachal .
Both practical and aesthetically pleasing
Uses local materials in a systematic process of layering.
Walls are made of deodar (a mountainous cedar wood) and limestone with rubble
acting as insulation . plinth is entirely constructed of stone .
Slate shingles which rest on these wooden framework complete and cap the building
as the roof tiles .
They are fixed to wooden framework using metal nails . These shingles protect the
structure from rain , snow .
One peculiar feature is projecting carved stone in one or more corners . studies say
that it can be either for a structural purpose or might have some cultural significance
too .
In the harsh mountainous terrain , cator and cribbage construction is quick and efficient .
The construction does not require skilled carpenters , stonemasons or any specialized tools .
The method adopted is energy efficient , low cost and climate responsive too .
The rubble masonry between wooden planks act as insulation and keeps the interiors warm in cold
winter days and cool in summers .
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Granaries
In Himachal Pradesh , the importance of food grain storage and agricultural products are given great
importance. Food in this region can be considered to be precious commodity due to extreme climate . So
building of granaries is also given great importance .
Granaries are of 2 types
-free standing granaries
-granaries inbuilt within houses
Size and scale of granaries directly correlate to the volume of content stored .
Granaries are mostly associated with temples in the region .
They are usually composed of cuboids either single or multi storied with balconies on all the 4 sides which
act as an interactive space for the people working there .
They are usually covered with gable roof .
Walls have small openings for cultivating bees .
Being a state with maximum Hindu population , Himachal has its own unique
style of temple architecture .
There are many types like rock hewn ancient temples , kath-khuni temples
, folk temples in granary clusters etc
Temples in Himachal are combination of works of greatest craftsmen and
artists as well as sincere efforts of ordinary local people .
The construction technique is very similar to the kath-khuni houses with
stones used in foundations and roofs in the form of stone shingles .
Entrance doors , pillars , entablatures are very finely decorated with wooden
carved panels by the local craftsmen. Various festivals , rituals , local animals
and plant motifs are depicted using carvings.
Wooden carvings in
temples .
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