Himachal Vernacular

35Vol 86,October 2005

Traditional Architecture and Planning Techniques in Himachal Pradesh

(Ms) M Jain, Non-member

I Singh, Non-member

Dr S C Sharma, Non-member

This paper highlights the evolution of traditional architecture and settlement pattern in the hill region of Himachal Pradesh. The paper

discusses the art and architecture which grew out of the man and natural interaction. It discusses the various Architectural Styles of temples

evolved over a period of time, their construction techniques and materials used by the people of Himachal Pradesh. The design and planning

consideration in the hills which require extra sensitivity and care because of the delicate nature of terrain and eco-system are described. The

paper suggests that the traditional architecture which is the outcome of man's interaction with nature should not be disturbed. The planning

techniques which have been scientifically proved successful due to difficult terrain and the scientific use of locally available material should be

encouraged.

Keywords: Traditional architecture; Settlement pattern; Eco system; Man-nature interaction; Planning techniques

INTRODUCTION

The state of Himachal Pradesh has a treasure of traditional

architecture. This traditional architecture has stood the test of

time. This art and architecture have mostly grown out of age-old

cultural heritage and numerous religious beliefs. It commands deep

interest and respect as it represents and reveals the many faceted

realities of the people living there. The ancient art and architecture

of Himachal Pradesh have survived in the form of metal sculpture,wood carvings, stone carvings, paintings, traditional residential

settlements and temple architecture.The most elementary form

of hill architecture is represented by the old temples, which are

scattered everywhere all along the mountain slopes and in the

valleys. They are of indigenous styles and peculiar to the hills.

Preparation of layout plans in hill area for the construction of

different types of buildings, such as housing clusters, commercial

complexes, institutional buildings is much more complicated as

compared to the preparation of such plans in the plains. Layout

planning is complicated due to constraints of hilly terrain for

construction of buildings and roads beyond certain degree ofslope. It is further complicated due to the following:

n Difficulty of getting suitable orientation on the hill slopes.

n Problems of soil erosion and land slides.

n Restrictions by the forest department.( ban on cutting of the

trees).

n Existence of tall shoddy trees and dense forest area, which

obstruct the winter sun required for the buildings.

n Limitations on the height of the building due to earthquake

risk.

n High cost involved in the site development due to the cutting

and the filling process.

n Non-availability and transportation problems of construction

materials.

TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENTS

The construction of the house or the habitable places usually

starts near the resources like agricultural land, water etc. Prior to

the commencement of construction, due consideration is given

to the terrain and the climate (Figure 1).

n The traditional house is in the form of a hut, and a hamlet

develops when there are more than one hut and a small temple,

dedicated to the local deity is gradually added. Thus from a

singular structure of a hut, a small settlement is developed.

n The vernacular architecture of hamlets in Himachal Pradesh

also varies from region to region, depending upon the climatic

factors and the availability of local materials.

n It has been noticed that in the regions, comprising the Kullu

valley, Satluj valley and the Ravi valley, a great commonality of

styles exists (Figure 2). In the Satluj valley region, the typical

house consists of stone and timber walls, constructed in what is

known as Kath-Kona style, an indigenous style of construction,

in which the walls are made with alternate courses of dry stone

masonry and timber without any cementing mortar.

Figure 1 Traditional settlements

(Ms) M Jain and I Singh are with the Department of Architecture, National

Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh; and Dr S C Sharma

is with Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Bathinda,

Himachal Pradesh.

This paper was received on May 9, 2005. Written discussion on the paper will be

received till January, 31, 2006.

36 IE(I) Journal--AR

n In the hamlets located in the Ravi valley, the walls of the

traditional houses are built mostly with the dried masonry,

without using any alternate layers of timber. These walls are

plastered with mud both from inside and the outside.

n A common alternative is to make the lower storey of the

house in dry stone masonry without any layer of timber beams

and the upper floor exclusively in timber. The upper floor is

projected on all the four sides supported by wooden posts and

brackets.

n In some parts of Himachal Pradesh, there is a popular use of

the Dhajji wall construction. In this construction system, the

walls are made of timber frames with in-fills of light thin panels

made by close packaging of mud mortar, stone and ballast. The

traditional Dhajji wall (framed wall) construction mode of the

region was subsequently improvised by the British for making

their colonial edifices.

n A typical mountain village comprises of a compact group of

houses arranged along the contours, of preferably south facing

slope.

n The hill house usually consists of two rooms. One on top of

another and is built with mud, stone and timber. Usually the

ground floor is used for keeping cattle and storing grain and

fodder. The upper floor is the main living area.

ARCHITECTURE OF THE RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS

The religious buildings in Himachal symbolize not only the

presence of various cultures in the region, but also signify the

intermingling of societies through a blend of art and architecture.

Together they produce a variety of styles in the built forms.

Numbering approximately more than 6000, the Himachal Pradesh

temples offer a variety of architecture and art. Thus the architectural

styles found in Himachal Pradesh have been identified as

(a) Pent-roof or Chalet style;

(b) Nagara style;

(c) Pagoda style;

(d) Tower style

(e) Flat roofed temples;

(f) Pyramidal style;

(g) Gompas.

Pent- roof or Chalet Style

The square or rectangular wood and stone temples with pent roof

are the most ancient in Himachal Pradesh. They are found all

over the hills. In size these structures differ considerably, while

they all have only one common feature, that is the finely cut large

and excellent stones, that constitute their base. Most remarkable

among these temples are Lakshana Devi temple at Brahmaur,

Shakti devi at Chhatrari in Chamba. The usual pattern is a square

resting on a raised platform of stone. The building itself may be

entirely of wood or of the wood and stone. It generally consists

of a central cellar with an open verandah around it, and is covered

with a pent roof of wood, which either slopes on two sides from

the central ridge, or on four sides from the top (Figure 3).

Nagara Style

Himachal Pradesh is also rich in the Indo -Aryan temples or what

is popularly known as Nagara style of temples. The Nagara temples

in Himachal Pradesh broadly follow the overall form and design

of the typical Indo-Aryan stone temples, found in Orissa and

Khajurao areas. Some minor modifications were made in the form

of these temples of the plains to adapt them to the climatic

conditions of the hill areas. The series of monolithic temples of

Figure 2 Kath -Kona style of a house in Satluj valley

Figure 3 Lakshana Devi temple at Brahmaur


Massur in Kangra district are the earliest specimen of the Nagara

design (Figure 4). There are a number of seventh century Nagara

type temples at Brahmaur, such as Manimahesh and Ganesha built

by Meru Verman ( 680-700 A.D). The famous Lakshmi Narayan

temple of Chamba is a group of temples with Nagara style.

Pagoda Type Temples

These are rectangular stone and wood structures with successive

roofs, placed one over the other making them in some cases look

like multi-storey edifices. These temples are believed to have

Chinese or Tibetan inf luence in their architecture. The

arrangements in the interior of these temples, including the wood

carvings resemble those preserved in the Pentroof temples. These

wood carvings were frequently repaired, when decayed, by

replacing the old ones. Similarly the Pagoda roofs are also repaired,

partly replacing the decayed portions. The temples at Hidimba

Devi at Manali, Mahadev temple in Mandi district and Tripura

Sundri Devi temple, Kullu come under this category (Figure 5).

Tower Style

Another type of pent-roof style is seen in the tower temples or it

may be said that when the chalet type structure is raised to two to

three storeys height, so that the verandah all around extends beyond

the walls to form a cantilevered structure, as if a chalet placed on

the high pedestal, it looks like a tower. The excellent types of this

temple are Bhimkali temple at Sarahan and Dum Devta temple,

Bhanmol, Shimla (Figure 6).

Flat- roofed Temples

Figure 7 Dundi devi temple, Dabhas, Shimla

Figure 6 Dum devta temple, Bhanmol, Shimla

Figure 4 Massur temple, Kangra

Figure 5 Tripura sundari devi temple, Kullu


These temples are made of ordinary walls of mud and lime plaster.

But the remarkable point about them is the wall paintings in Pahari

style. This architectural styles include temples of Narbadeshwar

(Sujanpur-Tihra) and Brajraj swami (Kangra valley)

Pyramidal Style

Considering style of roofs as a basis of distinction, such types of

temples are built on square plinths. All the four lower eaves of

the temple roof are of equal length and the roof goes on narrowing

towards centre forming pyramid like roof in the centre. One of

the examples of the pyramid style roof temple is Dundi Devi

temple at Dabhas in Shimla district (Figure 7).

.

Gompas

Except those at Rewalsar and Rampur, the Buddhist Gompas are

confined to Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti area. These are generally

flat-roofed complexes of many rooms. These monasteries or the

Gompas are the repositories of Buddhist art and culture. The

Gompa is the embodiment of the earthy seat of Buddha and

other deities that make up the Buddhist Pantheon. Every village

or a hamlet has its own monastery, and it forms the centre of the

culture and social life of the people.

BUILDING MATERIALS AND THE CONSTRUCTION

TECHNIQUES

Hostile weather conditions and limited supply of building materials

has resulted in the usage of mud, stone and wood in varying

degrees.

In the vernacular architecture of the Himalayan region wood is

extensively used, as the forests of the deodar wood and other

mixed forests were easily available. The vast number of hill temples,

are of deodar wood generally. Deodar wood has been used

traditionally to impart stability to tall structures. The walls of some

of these structures are raised on the horizontal wooden frame

work called Cheols. In the well built structure, the wood is very

carefully arranged, the beams with thickness around 30 cms in

depth extending over the whole length of wall - a beam on the

outside and another beam on the inside, the space in between is

filled with stones.

In certain regions the construction system constitutes the erection

of a timber frame work of uprights, beams and braces with dressed

stone blocks as an in-fill material without any cementing material.

Over the walls, a frame of the timber rafters and purlins is laid

out for the pitched roof. The roofing on top is with slates as the

material. The walls of the interior are usually finished with the

mud plaster.

Another material used is mud, on account of its easy availability,

good insulation and the good binding properties. In some parts

of the western Himalayan region comprising Upper Kinnaur,

Lahaul- Spiti and Ladakh, the architectural style is different. Stone

remains in use but its usage is restricted to the plinth. The locally

available mud is used for the super structure. Two types of

construction techniques are used here, the rammed earth technique

and adobe construction. In the former style, the mud is filled into

the wooden forms and rammed into the place slowly building up

the wall. In the later style, sun dried mud blocks are used in the

construction of the wall. The roof is kept flat and comprises a

closely packed layer of sun twigs supported on wooden beams

and joists and resting on the wooden columns.

.

Stability of the structures is a much desired quality, required for

the hill regions.

Lying in the seismic zone 4 and partly in the high intensity seismic

zone 5, faced with extreme climatic conditions and steep hilly

terrains, the available indigenous technology is an appropriate

response. To counter the seismic forces, the traditional structures

usually stand on a high solid plinth, made up of dry dressed stone

masonry. The huge mass serves as a dampener pad to the

earthquake forces and the dry construction allows for vibration

and hence faster dissipation of the energy.

Organic Building Character

Varying topography gives pockets of land for development which

give rise to discontinuous organic mosaic of building with varying

sizes and spaces. No space is perceived in isolation. Buildings

appear visually integrated with each other, establishing continuity

in perception. It is the total composition, which becomes the most

important.

River

A

B

300

C

Figure 8 Safe angle of repose

Figure 9 Clearance on sides of buildings

A

B

C

D

E

Area of∆ ADC= ∆ CDE

400


DESIGNING AND PLANNING IN HILLS

Design considerations in hills require extra sensitivity and care

because of the delicate nature of terrain and ecosystem. Unlike

plains, here a new dimension or a height variation to the ground

poses additional problem to the entire exercise.

Physical Planning

n The planning on the hills is very restrictive as compared to

the plains. The major factors that govern the planning are

topography, climatic conditions, orientation, traffic movement,

available usable spaces, sources of water supply, natural drains

and paths.

n Gentle slopes are required so that the cost of site development

is lessened. The roads for traffic movement are of gradual

gradient. Less excavation is required to be done to maintain the

ecological balance.

n Slope of the ground should not be more than 30º as far as

possible even in rocky reaches to avoid instability problems,

especially during severe earthquakes.

n Suitable clearance around buildings is necessary. Foundation

of any part of building should not rest on filled up ground. On

hills there should be clearance of about 40º in case of soil, soil

mixed boulder, fractured rock zone, soft rock zone having

outward dip, so that any slip, if occurs may not hit the building.

n Due to the cold climate, the southern slopes are preferred.

The orientation of the houses is to maximize the penetration

of the sun rays.

n The stress is also laid on the preservation of the green

cover. The site should be developed in such a way that felling

of trees is avoided as far as possible.

n Site susceptible to high winds, storms, floods and landslides

should be avoided.

n Since the inner side of the cut slope may have higher bearing

capacity, building should be so oriented and planned so as to

enhance that higher load comes on inner side. Where the site

seems to undergo unequal settlement, the site should be so

planned and designed that the higher load comes on harder

part of foundation and soil.

n Terrace in all around the building should have proper slope

for efficient drainage. During the site development, terrace may

be cut at 1:30 to 1:50 slope and may be trimmed at suitable

slope after the completion of the building work.

n In the steep hilly zones, the stepped terraces will be much

beneficial environmentally and economically, as they result in

the least hill cutting and disturbance to the hill stability.

n Minimum clearance of 1.0 m to 1.5 m should be given

between the hill face and the building wall to avoid dampness

and also for proper light and ventilation.

n Top hill surfaces near the buildings should be properly treated

to make it impervious as far as possible, possibly by thick

vegetation or stone pitching.

Development of Critical Areas

Physical development of a hill town is attributed to topography,

climate, accessibility, availability of developable land, hilly tracks

prohibiting large scale expansion of urban activities in ecologically

sensitive areas. Hill geomorphology does not allow concentrated

development of settlements. Hence the dispersal of settlement

has to be encouraged.

Figure 10 Construction types on hills

Retaining

wall

Equilibrium

Pile foundation

Trees

STABILIZATION Cutting

FillingStilts

Stacking

HILL CONSTRUCTION

Figure 12 View shed

The larger the cone blocked

by landform, the greater the

enclosure

Figure 11 Ridge lines

Military crest

gives views of the

valley. Buildings

located here blend

into the mass of

the hill as viewed

from great dis-

tances


Construction on Hills and Its Types

For hard soil : Cantilever

For moderate soil : Supporting members

To prevent landslide : Retaining wall

For aesthetics on gentle slopes : Terracing

Topography

An essential difference between Hills and Plains is the presence

of undulating topography altering the line of vision at every point

of ground. This makes the visual appearance of a building very

important from all distances. The changing terrain opens up

unlimited possibilities of viewing and utilizing land at various levels.

These offer views and the advantage of multilevel entry to the

building. However, the topography also restricts the freedom in

the development and planning. Symmetry or order of plan is not

experienced in hills due to varying topography. The undulating

topography opens up tremendous possibilities of panoramic vistas

of the landscape and the mountains.

Ridge Lines

Ridge lines are quite expansive and are visually open zones. They

offer long panoramic views and are themselves highly visible from

distant areas. They do not usually afford views into the valleys.

The Valley

Valleys afford reduced view sheds (Figure 12). The views from

the surrounding slopes are focused downwards into the valleys.

There is however a zone along the upper floors that is much less

visible from the distance and that affords views into the valleys.

This zone is known as military crest of the ridge. The zone offers

the unique opportunities as it affords nice valley views while

enabling buildings to visually blend into the land form if viewed

from distant locations. Ordinances that prohibit ridgeline

development to minimize visual impact often allows building along

the military crest. Spacing of ridges determine size of view sheds.

Building Layout on Contours

The building should be placed along the contours to increase the

stability of the structure and to cut down the cost on the site

development. The existing form of the terrain welcomes some

building forms while rejects some. In hills building break the

continuity of landscape and hence appear rigid, this can be

controlled by giving horizontal and vertical devices like stilts, etc

(Figure 13).

Terraces

Buildings with terraces allow sunlight penetration at all heights.

Visual aspect does not allow more than a few stories, which helps

in maintaining a human scale, proportions and integration.

Orientation

Orienting building along the north-south allows maximum

sunlight. The path of the sun, controls the height of building, as

the sun is needed for each dwelling unit.

ECOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURE

Ecology is the relationship of plants and animals to their natural

surroundings. It is sad to point out that during the course of

development, the contemporary architecture has played a negative

role to disrupt this relationship and destroy the delicate and fragile

balance of hill eco system. This has led to the problems of

landslides, forest fires etc. The sensitive approach towards

architecture and planning techniques can save the ecology.

CONCLUSION

In the hills, the elements of nature shape the spatial order and the

man has to adapt himself to these forces, so he makes the shelters

and the built environment in consonance with them and his cultural

needs. The traditional architecture of Himachal Pradesh is the

outcome of the prevailing topography, extremes of the climate

and other natural forces. Indigenous architectural solutions have

responded well to these natural forces. Moreover the vernacular

architecture merges well with the hills at the backdrop.

The traditional architecture forms the back bone of social and

cultural set up of the place. These architectural splendours serve

as the living heritage and add to tourist attractions. Most of these

structures are showing the sign of strain and abuse. The issues of

restoration and preservation are of paramount importance and

need to be addressed in relation to these buildings. It is essential

for this architecture to retain its integrity. So the traditional

architecture should not be disturbed, rather the contemporary

architecture should be integrated well with the traditional

architecture. The planning techniques, which have been

scientifically proved successful, for the difficult terrain of the

hills should be adopted keeping in mind the sustainability aspect.

As a future strategy, the people should be made aware of the

scientific usage of the locally available materials to minimize the

fragility of the region.

WN

SE

Figure 13 Building layout on contours


REFERENCES

1. J L Motloch. ‘Introduction to Landscape Design.’ John Wiley and Sons.

2. R Chauhan. ‘Himachal Pradesh - a Perspective’. Menerva Book House, The Mall,

Shimla, 1998.

3. M G Singh. ‘Wooden Temples of Himachal Pradesh.’ Indus Publishing Company,

New Delhi, 1999.

4. J L Dvivedi. ‘Monastries of the Spiti Valley, Architecture Time Space and

People.’ The Magazine of the Council of Architecture, New Delhi, February 2003.

5. R Wattas. ‘Interventions in Vernacular Himachal Pradesh. Architecture+Design,New Delhi, November - December, 2000.

6. J O Simonds. ‘Landscape Architecture, A Manual of Site Planning and Design.’McGraw Hill, New York, 1997.

7. S Khambaty and S Bhole. ‘Exploring Himachal.’ Journal of the Indian Institute ofArchitects, July 2004.

8. Dr R Gopal. ‘Selection, Development and Stabilisation of Sites for Building onHills.’

9. ‘National Town and Country Planning Congress Development of Hill Capitals: Shimla-Vision 2025.’ Technical Papers of Institute of Town Planners, Peterhoff Shimla,

2003.

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