Case study - 3

- Cultural center -
( online study )

Virasat-e-Khalsa and Heritage Complex

Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar, Punjab

Kartik Parihar
B.Arch. 3rd year
What is a culture ?
• Culture is a umbrella term which
encompasses the social behavior and the
norms found in the human societies, as well
as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws,
customs, capabilities and habitat of
individuals in these group .

What is a cultural center ?

• A cultural center or cultural centre is
an organization, building or complex
that promotes culture and arts.

• Cultural centers can be

neighborhood community
arts organizations, private facilities,
government-sponsored, or activist-run.
 - Introduction to city Anandpur sahib(Rupnagar) -

• Anandpur Sahib was founded in June 1665

by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.

• It is a city in Rupnagar district(Ropar), on

the of Shivalik hills, located near the Sutlej
river.

• The city is a pilgrimage site in Sikhism.

• It is the venue of the largest annual Sikh

gathering and festivities during Hola
Mohalla in the spring season.

• Anandpur sahib is located on national

highway 503 that links kiratpur sahib and
Chandigarh to Nangal and further kangra
valley.
 - History of Anandpur Sahib -

• This area was originally the ruins of an ancient place

known as makhowal named after the demon makho.

• It was later shri guru teg bahadur purchased this place and
renamed Anandpur in 1665.

• It signified the banishment of all evil and ushering in an

era of blissful joy. Guru gobind Singh ji succeeded guru teg
bahadur and establishes Anandpur fort and stayed here for
25years.

• Based here he fought many wars against the Mughal

empire. He constructed number of forts to defend people.
They were keshgarh, anandgarh, fatehgarh, lohgarh.

• Anandpur sahib is sandwiched between kiratpur sahib

another sacred township of the Sikhs and nainadevi-a
place for pilgrimage for Punjabi Hindus.
- Vernacular Architecture form -
• Built form : Harrapan civilization

• Kutcha houses

• Semi pucca houses

• Pucca houses
o Havelies - Gurjar khan
o Havelies - Bidowali

• Harrapan civilization houses were first

courtyard houses, according to historical
evidence.

• The settlement consisted of an irregular

scatter of mud brick houses.

• The most private houses had rooms

arranged around a central courtyard.
 - Nature of the city -

• The main cultures that arose in the Punjab during the Medieval Age at the
beginning of this era was of strong Indo-Aryan dominance.

• Music - Bhangra is one of the many Punjabi musical art forms that is increasingly
listened to in the west and is becoming a mainstream favorite.

• Dance - The high energy "bhangra" men's dance to the more reserved "jhumar,"
the "gidha" women's dance and "Malwayi Gidha" is a form of dance which is
performed by both men and women together.

• Craft - The craft of brass and copper metalwork done by the Thatheras of
jandiala gurus, which is enlisted on the UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural site.

• Architectural - Punjab is known for its beautiful Sikh architecture.

 - Demographics of the city -
• As per 2011 census, 74.03 % population of Rupnagar districts lives in rural areas of
villages.

• The total Rupnagar district population living in rural areas is 506,820 of which
males and females are 264,089 and 242,731 respectively.

• In rural areas of Rupnagar district, sex ratio is 919 females per 1000 males.
Description 2011 2001

Population 6.85 Lakhs 6.29 Lakhs

Actual
684,627 628,846
Population

Male 357,485 332,949

Female 327,142 295,897

Population
8.87% 15.86%
Growth
Description 2011 2001
Area Sq. Km 1,356 1,356
Density/km2 505 449
Proportion to Punjab Population 2.47% 2.58%
Sex Ratio (Per 1000) 915 889
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 863 799
Average Literacy 82.19 76.10
Male Literacy 87.50 82.70
Female Literacy 76.42 68.70

Area Sq. Km 1,356 1,356

Density/km2 505 449
Proportion to Punjab Population 2.47% 2.58%
Sex Ratio (Per 1000) 915 889
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 863 799
Average Literacy 82.19 76.10
Male Literacy 87.50 82.70
Female Literacy 76.42 68.70
Total Child Population (0-6 Age) 72,926 0
Description 2011 2001

Male Population (0-6 Age) 39,152 0

Female Population (0-6 Age) 33,774 0
Literates 502,731 0
Male Literates 278,534 0
Female Literates 224,197 0
Child Proportion (0-6 Age) 10.65% 0.00%
Boys Proportion (0-6 Age) 10.95% 0.00%
Girls Proportion (0-6 Age) 10.32% 0.00%
- Topography of the city -
Maximum elevation: 3,315 m
Average elevation: 621 m
Minimum elevation: 237 m

Source = https://en-in.topographic-map.com/maps/edow/Rupnagar/
 - Climate of the city -
• The average annual temperature in Rupnagar is 24.3 °C | 75.7 °F. In a year, the average rainfall is
949 mm | 37.4 inch.

• Warm and temperate zone.

Februar Septem Novem Decemb
January March April May June July August October
y ber ber er

Avg.
Temper
13.5 16.1 21.2 27.2 32.1 33.6 30.4 29.4 28.9 24.8 19.2 14.9
ature
(°C)
Min.
Temper
6.9 9.1 13.8 19.2 24.3 27 26.1 25.4 23.6 17.4 10.7 7.3
ature
(°C)
Max.
Temper
20.1 23.2 28.7 35.3 40 40.2 34.7 33.4 34.2 32.3 27.8 22.5
ature
(°C)
Avg.
Temper
56.3 61.0 70.2 81.0 89.8 92.5 86.7 84.9 84.0 76.6 66.6 58.8
ature
(°F)
Min.
Temper
44.4 48.4 56.8 66.6 75.7 80.6 79.0 77.7 74.5 63.3 51.3 45.1
ature
(°F)
Max.
Temper
68.2 73.8 83.7 95.5 104.0 104.4 94.5 92.1 93.6 90.1 82.0 72.5
ature
(°F)

Precipit
ation /
53 35 36 8 12 45 309 233 154 39 8 17
Rainfall
(mm)
- Soil of the city -
- Land use plan of the city -
 - Norms -

Source : URBAN AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION (URDPFI) GUIDELINES BY MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
http://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/URDPFI%20Guidelines%20Vol%20I(2).pdf
Source : URBAN AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION (URDPFI) GUIDELINES BY MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
http://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/URDPFI%20Guidelines%20Vol%20I(2).pdf
- Water supply services -

Source : NBC 2016

 - Parking standard -

Source : URBAN AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION (URDPFI) GUIDELINES BY MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
http://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/URDPFI%20Guidelines%20Vol%20I(2).pdf
 - Virasat-e-Khalsa and Heritage complex, Rupnagar, Punjab -

Address :
Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar,
near Chandigarh, Punjab, India
 - Location -

India Rupnagar, Punjab

Virasat-e-Khalsa,
Anandpur sahib
 - Accessibility -

Distance from site to Railway 37 km Distance from site to Chandigarh Airport(nearest) is

80km.
 - Project profile -
• Project Name – Virasat-e-Khalsa and Khalsa heritage complex.

• Project Type – Museum

• Project Location – Anandpur sahib, Rupnagar, Punjab.

• Architects – Moshe Safdie & Associates, Boston, USA

• Associate Architect – Ashok Dhawan, New Delhi

• Construction Consultant – Larsen & Tourbo limited, India

• Promoters and Developers – Anandpur sahib Foundation Trust

• Inception Date – 1-1-1998

• Completion Date – 13-4-2010

• Total Area – 75 Acre

• Built up Area – 40 Acre

• Project Cost – Total estimate cost including exhibits 224 crores

 - Historical Background and What is Virasat-E-Khalsa ? -

• The museum celebrates 500 years of the Sikh history and 300th anniversary of
the birth of Khalsa.

• Khalsa heritage complex showcase Punjab's rich cultural heritage and history to
outside world.

• It’s a new benchmark for museum design, development and management.

• Virasat-e-Khalsa is a museum of Sikhism, located in the holy town Anandpur

sahib, Rupnagar, Punjab.

• Situated in foothills of Shivalik mountain range.

• Popularly known as “Ajooba”.

• Site is on plateau formed by a series of sand cliff headland facing small ravine.
 - Site analysis -

Eastern complex
Western complex

Bridge

N
- Site Zoning -
- Site Zoning -
 - Concept -
• The first block has been conceptualized as a boat, which
is also the first gallery the visitors enter. It showcases
the present culture of Punjab in a panoramic almost 360
degree view.

• The second block is the flower shaped building.

Depicting the five virtues – Sat (truth), Santosh
(contentment), Daya (compassion), Namrata (humility) 2
3
and Pyar (love).
1

• Or the Panj Piaras (the five beloved ones) of Guru

Gobind Singh. The five Sikhs (Panj Piaras) – Bhai Daya
Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai
Mukham Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh.

• The third block is a crescent shaped building with petal

like projections forming its roof. The rooftops of all
petals are covered with special stainless steel sheets,
which symbolically reflects the skylight towards the
Gurudwara.
- Complex A ( western complex ) -
 - Complex A ( western complex ) -
• The western complex forms the gateway from the town
of Anandpur sahib to the museum.

• The structure of the complex is made up of

concrete bearing walls and trusses.

• The walls ascending from the ravine level also clad with
weather resistant sandstone.

• The library having a covered area of 2230sq.m.

• The 400 seated auditorium having covered area

1980sq.m split into three levels.

• Space in temporary exhibition gallery having a covered

area of 1373sq.m.

• Lower floor Plan of complex A has library/reading

(room which is also a audio room), electrical room,
mechanical, switch gear room, receiving area, loading
unloading area, stores, green room and toilets.
 - Auditorium Standard -

Source : NBC and time savers.

- Library Standard -
• Minimum allowances
are made of 30 sq ft
per adult reader and
20 sq ft per child.
- Complex B -
 - Complex B -

• It mainly consist of pedestrian bridge, cafeteria and kitchen block.

• The 165m long end wide pedestrian bridge, which is connecting complex A & C, primarily
consists of four independently tied arches (three 33m long and one 27m long).

• Cafeteria and kitchen blocks consist of cafeteria of covered area as 1424 sqm. The founding
level of café dining is 316.4 m.
- Complex C -

1. Permanent
exhibit
gallery.
2. Multimedia
gallery.
3. Heritage
Museum.
4. Porch.
5. Entry plaza.
6. Entrance.
7. Bridge
connecting
complex C
to complex
A and B.
 - Complex C -
• The structure consists of arcade, receiving dock, mechanical/electrical room, reception, storage
space, workshops, labs, lecture and meeting space, book store, gift shops, offices, toilets, exhibit
galleries, planters and grand stairs.

• The whole building is divided into 3 levels :

• lowest level-319m

• then at level-324m

• the highest floor level is at-330m

• The petals in the crescent building will Guru Tegbahadar Guru Gobind Singh
• Gurta Gaddi.

cover the lifespan of Guru Hargobind, Guru Harkrishan

Guru Harrai, Guru Harkrishan, Guru
Tegbahadar, Guru Gobind Singh and Gurta
Guru Harrai
Gaddi.

• The galleries at the lower level (324 floor

level) will chronicle the trails, tribulations Guru Hargobind

and triumphs the Khalsa.

 - Complex C -
• The roof of the building is shaped in the
form of five petals, represented The panj
piaras- the five cherished ones of guru
Govind Singh.

• The exhibits in each of the five petals trace

the life history of the first five gurus from
birth to attaining salvation or martyrdom.

• These are permanent exhibits.

 - Complex C -

• Heritage museum, also known as Boat

building has plan area 1780 sqm.

• It consists of a ramp which start from 321m

and goes up till 327.60m.

• The structure is RCC shear wall with inside

ramp of prestressed concrete.

• The foundation level is 308.5 m and the top

of roof is 330.6 m.
Water body
• The concept behind giving water body on
the ground floor level is that it will be
reflected in the ceiling which is made of glass Entrance / exit
thus making a visitor clueless about the
actual height of the building.
 - Pedestrian bridge -

• The pedestrian bridge is not carefully designed by the architect by placing the canopy on
the opposing direction of the southern sunlight.

• While walking on the bridge, 70% of the complex is clearly seen and 30% of the complex is
obstructed by the canopy.
 - Technical features -
• The structure is designed to
cover all the seismic aspects
which are applicable for India.

• Columns and beams – fair

faced concrete casted in
single.

• Columns – no shuttering
joints.

• Beams -limited, only in pattern

shuttering ply imported from
Finland for more length,
thickness and smoothness.

• More than 2800 lighting

fixtures.

• Electricity from 132kv

substation of PSEB.
- Lighting of the crescent building -
 - Landscaping -

• The floor of the ravine forms the center piece of the complex.

• As far as possible, the natural landscape and topography has been maintained.

• Water, which is abundantly available has been incorporated as a major element in the
landscaping scheme.
 - Comparative Analysis -

Name Indian habitat Russian culture Virast –e- Khalsa , Comments

center , New and science Punjab
Delhi center, New Delhi

Auditorium (g) 6200 sq. Ft. 1980sq.m Good

theatre 4920 sq. Ft. NA -
Conference / 3300sq.ft NA -
multipurpose hall

Library 3767 sq. Ft 2230sq.m Good

Art Gallery(open) 3800 sq. Ft 1780sq.m, Good
Amphitheatre 2850 sq. Ft NA -
Food court 3000 sq. Ft 1424 sq.m Good
Hub 34460 sq. Ft 1373 sq.m
Store 130 – 720 sq. M Good
 - Conclusion -

Positive points - Negative points -

• Canopy used as architectural

• The museum as a whole complex is
very well designed.
• Spaces of the complex have been
worked out beautifully.
• The concept of the design does not
lack in one’s interest from the subject.
feature at the bridge to avoid the
obstruction from the view but
situated in the opposite direction
of the sun which does not provide
any shade.

• The natural beauty of the location have

been used at its fullest.

• Water bodies create a different

environment for the visitors.

• The function and esthetics together

have been developed very well.