Pauri Garhwal: Experts stress that Himalayan construction must balance strong architectural design, durable materials, and flexible building techniques to withstand disasters. Drawing lessons from ancient practices, specialists highlight that structures like the Kedarnath temple survived devastating floods due to their scientific and resilient construction methods.
According to Dr. Sareesh Chandravanshi from the Civil Engineering Department at GB Pant Institute of Engineering and Technology, Ghuddauri, older structures created minimal pressure on land capacity. Houses were smaller in size and built with more spacing, unlike today’s dense, multi-storey concrete buildings, which exert high pressure on fragile Himalayan soil.
In ancient times, construction was based on several key factors:
- Architectural styles such as Nagara, Dravid, Vesara, and Navdurga ensured balance and strength.
- Materials like granite, sandstone, marble, and lime mortar strengthened over time. In Uttarakhand, durable woods resistant to termites and moisture were used.
- Interlocking stones without cement added earthquake resistance by allowing flexibility.
- Central alignment and placement of heavy domes maintained structural balance.
- Site selection involved soil testing, water availability, and environmental considerations, ensuring long-lasting stability.
Experts suggest that integrating these traditional principles with modern technology can help make Himalayan structures more sustainable and disaster-resilient.
