Name - Shivam Taksali

Roll Number - 509233

Class - Fifth Year Batch 2
Name Of Topic - Mythological Museum & Knowledge Centre, at Varanasi

Introduction
Why should we bother to work with gods and goddesses in the first place? Almost every
religion includes some form of mythology, from the earliest and most primitive practices to
the more modern and “scientific” variants, which tend to disguise their myths as symbology
or history. It is obvious that these god figures and their stories, whatever one chooses to call
them, are important and meaningful to humanity, a vital and intrinsic part of our spiritual
lives. Myths also usually prove to be one of the most provocative and revealing aspects of
the inner life of a people. Myth’s gave people an idea of what they could be, where they are
going, and how the future might effect them .
Myths do not relate rational, scientific, idea-oriented knowledge but instead offer
experiential knowledge: sensual, ethical, and emotional. Their meaning is accessed by
intuition, rather than by linear reasoning. Mythology accepts and preserves the unknown
and the unquantifiable, the outer reaches of the universe, that which can’t be examined and
mathematically analysed. Myths are not meant to represent factual, rational truth; they are
not meant to be taken literally. They are a conscious deception conceived to impart a
different kind of truth.
Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. Varanasi or Kashi is older
than traditions. It was one of the first major urban settlements in the middle Ganges
valley. The city presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical and
supernatural elements. According to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates soul
from human body to the ultimate.
It is the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi that complement the concept of divinity. Ghats of
Ganga are perhaps the holiest spots of Varanasi. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full
of pilgrims who flock to the place to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed
to absolve one from all sins.
Tourism has been one of the major businesses activities of the city from ancient time. Earlier
religious tourism was the main prevalent phenomenon of the city in past. People from all
around India used to throng here in numbers in particularly all seasons year around. The
phenomenon is same to this date as well where religious & spiritual tourists now from
around the world throng here in numbers in all seasons year around. Other sorts of tourists
are Historical, Cultural, Educational, and Researchers etc
Aim
To design a museum and a centre of knowledge for Mythology & history and showcasing
how mythology relates architecture, literature, music etc

Objectives
• Understand the changing modes of the aesthetics, in relation to the cultural observance or
practice, which can act as an important tool for the cultural & heritage education for the
community.
• To identify the various cultural needs of the city in order to address them with quality
services in the best possible manner.
• To develop a effective spaces in the centre, so that people can easily relate
themselves to the city & its culture.
• The image of the city will be transformed with the layers of cultural & the religious
diversity added to the fabric of the city.

Need of project
• City of Varanasi attracts thousands of tourists every year from all over the world
because of the Heritage Status granted to it by UNESCO. So there is a requirement of
knowledge centre in the city which could depict the mythology & the rich cultural
heritage of the city for which it is famous for.
• Tourists or even the local people, who visit Varanasi, do not get a centre where they
could get the information about the culture, its heritage and mythology etc.
• There should be a such centre in the city, from which people can easily relate
themselves and would also be able to learn & know the various facts related to the
cultural heritage & mythology of their city (specially at one place). More & more
people would get aware about its richness in culture, its history as how did city
emerged etc.
• The structure would not only play a role of mythological centre for the city but would
generate the revenue, as there are a number of local people and tourists visiting the
city, thus adding to the economy of the city.

Scope of project
• The project will help in preserving the rich cultural heritage of the city of Varanasi.
• Sarnath , which holds a very important historical importance in the present scenario
of the city and thus having such centre just adjacent to that would certainly increase
its importance in the city.
 • This project would help in promoting the mutual understanding amongst the people
of the Varanasi and would also help in relating each of them with their mythology &
culture.
• Sustaining interest in the heritage, disseminating and teaching it the people visiting
there would not only promote the culture of the city but would also give a globalised
view to the city in upcoming days.
• Sustaining interest in the heritage, disseminating and teaching it the people visiting
there would not only promote the culture of the city but would also give a globalised
view to the city in upcoming days.
• To develop the facilities & the amenities at the centre, so that the people can be
served in most functional & aesthetical way & also to create a perfect mood for the
visitors, which could help them in relating their soul with the city.
• To generate more & more revenue from the tourists visiting Varanasi.

Case study
1) Akshardham Gujarat
2) Mythology Museum Surendrapuri, Hyderabad

Methodology

1) RESERCH
• To explore the place and observe the problems faced by the tourist, locals and researchers.
• To study the site and its current condition.
• To study Government policies, norms and regulation
2) DESIGN
• Site selection and Analysis
• Program formulation
• Design development
• Preparation of architectural drawings, models and view