Conservation Plan of Chausath Yogini Temple of Ranipur- Jharial , Odisha

Abstract

I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have helped me for completing my thesis. To start with, I am very thankful to School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal who giving the platform. Then greatly thankful my thesis guide Dr. Vishakha Kawathekar whose motivation, advice and continuous support from the early to the final level helped to build understanding and to achieve it to the best of my abilities. Thanks for helping me to broaden my view and knowledge. I take this opportunity to convey sincere thanks to the thesis coordinator Ar.Shweta Vardia and programme co-ordinator Ar. Ramesh P Bhole. sincerely thanks to ASI, Bhubaneswar circle for allowing me to survey the site. I am greatly thankful to the Dr.Dolagobinda Bisi , Dr.Jugala Kishore Sarangi ,Mr. Jyoti prakash Gadtya, Dr. Rajani Ranjan (Principal of D.R college) for the many valuable information ,data and books for references . I am truly forever grateful to my parents, my family whose blessing, love and support has brought me this far. My deepest appreciation to my friends Siddharth, Sheetal, Purvasha, Mehjabeen, Phalit, Satyam, Aishwarya, Rohan and Pallavi for the helping me in technical as well as the continuous encouragement during the thesis time. I thank to my classmate 2018MCO for their support and love towards me throughout my hard time and bringing in me the encouragement to fight through the any situation. It would be incomplete without thanking my dear friend Satyapriya Mahanta for the support and encouragement in the Architecture world. Lastly a collective regards and blessing to my friend Anubhav Meher and his family for the beautiful gesture towards me in my site experience also Mr. Jyoti Prakash Gadyta and his family doing a lot during my site visit and an all those who have supported me in carrying out all the aspect of this thesis project. 5 Conservation Plan of Chausath Yogini temple of Ranipur-Jharial, Odisha THESIS ABSTRACT Collectives of female deities have a long-standing place in history, mythology, legend and the natural landscape. Hence Chausath Yoginis are the sacred female goddesses wherein they are 64 and 81 yoginis in numbers. Chausath Yogini Temple of Ranipur -Jharial (Odisha) is a less visited site and though being listed as one of the centrally protected monument, yet faces ignorance. Chausath Yogini temple complex is highly rich in heritage resources and history where the main focus heritage is Chausath Yogini temple. A rich amount of heritage assets lie in and around the temple complex, which are less maintained and requires more attention. Lack of awareness on the religious site has turned it into a leisure spot, with activities endangering the character of the place; erasing the actual rituals. This thesis mostly covers the identification of the heritage resources, their values and significance in the present conditions, followed by important mitigation methods to improve the site. Understanding from the past to present scenario with the help of the various studies like the sacred geometry, history, architectural style, art forms, rich iconography details and rituals mentioned in the mythological text which has now lost connectivity. The valuable objects and the qualities of the temple like (iconography, sacred yogini cult, and sacred geometry) in the cultural tradition and belief system will pass on the present world. The site faces certain number of footfall and requires proper management for the visitors. It is also important to maintain the tangible and intangible heritage with the visitors who are facing issues on a larger basis at the site. The improper way of conserving the temples might lead to decrease of life span of the structure. Culture and tourism relation add on the value of the heritage in India and across the globe. The thesis attempts to look into the social, religious and cultural issues in the current conservation practices being carried on the site and significance to the Chausath Yogini site and its surroundings which shows the potential and to prepare a conservation plan for the site by keeping in mind all the issues.